Barack Obama and Donald Trump have long held opposing political ideologies, so it’s no shock that Obama has frequently critiqued Trump’s policies. Recently, Obama delivered a particularly scathing remark about Trump during a speech at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.
He said, “I have deep differences of opinion with my most immediate successor — who’s now president once again.” Obama emphasized that there are many policies up for discussion where he holds strong opinions, and he criticized what he sees as a decline in government commitment to strong principles.
Following Obama’s comments, the Department of Education froze $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard University after the institution rejected demands made by the Trump administration. These demands, highlighted in a letter, were intended to combat antisemitism on campus and included significant changes to hiring, admissions, and teaching practices.
Had Harvard agreed to these conditions, it would have significantly increased government oversight, including demands for greater transparency and the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Harvard declined the proposal, arguing that it amounted to undue governmental control over the institution.
Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, remarked that while some demands aimed to fight antisemitism, most involved direct governmental regulation of the university’s intellectual environment.
Obama responded to the ongoing debate and used the opportunity to criticize Trump.
In a tweet, Obama wrote: “Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”
The Department of Education, in reaction to Harvard’s refusal, stated, “Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges.”
The Trump administration’s letter also urged reforms in ‘merit-based’ admissions and hiring and sought a ban on face masks, seemingly directed at pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Harvard has pledged to address antisemitism but insists it won’t do so through government overreach into teaching and learning practices.