Trump Eyes $3B Shift from Harvard to US Trade Schools
In a provocative Memorial Day announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed redirecting $3 billion in federal grants away from Harvard University and towards trade schools across the country. This latest move deepens the ongoing political and legal battle between Trump and the Ivy League institution.
Trump Accuses Harvard of Antisemitism, Security Risks
Trump claimed Harvard has failed to address what he described as rising antisemitism on campus, and accused the university of withholding information about foreign students who could pose potential national security threats. In his address, he labeled some international students as “radicalized lunatics,” implying that Harvard’s resistance to transparency could compromise U.S. safety.
The administration’s pressure on Harvard to disclose details of international enrollments has been a growing point of contention, leading to broader scrutiny of elite academic institutions’ global connections.
Funding Freeze and Legal Standoff
The Trump administration had earlier frozen $2.2 billion in grant allocations to Harvard, escalating tensions with the university. Harvard responded by initiating legal action, arguing that the freeze was a politically charged infringement on academic independence and constitutional rights.
A federal court issued a temporary injunction halting the administration’s move to cancel Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, giving the university and its foreign student body a brief reprieve.
Focus on Vocational Education
Trump’s proposal to redirect the contested funds reflects his administration’s emphasis on expanding vocational education. He argued that federal resources should benefit institutions that train Americans for trades like welding, plumbing, and electrical work, which are essential to rebuilding the nation’s economy and infrastructure.
“Trade schools are the backbone of American labor,” Trump said, adding that “federal dollars must go where they matter most—not to woke ideology factories.”
Political and Educational Fallout
The proposal has ignited fierce national debate. Supporters of the plan say redirecting funds to trade education will help address workforce shortages and restore dignity to blue-collar jobs. Critics, however, view the move as part of an ongoing political vendetta against elite academic institutions, cloaked in the rhetoric of reform.
Legal experts warn that the proposed redirection could spark a new wave of court battles, particularly over constitutional protections for academic institutions and the executive branch’s authority over federal education funding.
