Lawrence Summers, former President of Harvard University and former U.S. Treasury Secretary, has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s recent actions against Harvard, describing them as “wildly extralegal” and indicative of “tyranny.” Summers condemned the administration’s freeze of over $2 billion in federal grants to Harvard, labeling it as part of a broader effort to suppress institutions that challenge the presidential administration .mint+2Bloomberg Law News+2The News International+2

Summers emphasized that such actions are not isolated incidents but part of a sweeping effort to suppress institutions that challenge the presidential administration . He argued that if an institution like Harvard cannot resist such pressure, it sets a dangerous precedent for other universities. Summers also warned that Harvard’s hesitation in confronting these threats could have opened the door to such actions, urging the university to take a firm stand .Bloomberg Law NewsUniversity Herald

In a New York Times op-ed, Summers called on Harvard to resist intimidation and not capitulate to the financial threats posed by the Trump administration, likening the situation to “extortion” . He expressed concern that yielding to such pressure would undermine the integrity of higher education institutions and their ability to operate independently.apicciano.commons.gc.cuny.edu

The Trump administration’s actions have sparked a broader debate about the balance between federal authority and institutional autonomy in higher education. While some argue that the administration’s concerns about issues like antisemitism on campuses are valid, others view the measures as politically motivated attacks on academic freedom. Summers’ comments reflect a growing concern among academics and university leaders about the potential erosion of institutional independence in the face of political pressure.