JD Vance compares Harvard to North Korea over faculty’s political leanings
The ongoing feud between the Trump administration and Harvard University has escalated, with Vice President JD Vance accusing the prestigious academic institution of lacking “ideological diversity.” Speaking at the American Compass anniversary gala in Washington, Vance likened Harvard to North Korea, suggesting that the overwhelming support for former Vice President Kamala Harris among faculty members was indicative of a lack of democracy within the institution.
According to Vance, he estimated that “probably” 95% of Harvard’s faculty members voted for Harris in the 2024 election, leading him to question the level of intellectual diversity on campus. He described universities as “quasi-theocratic, or quasi-totalitarian societies,” where dissenting opinions are stifled in favor of a singular ideology.
Harvard has not responded to these accusations, but the Trump administration has been pressuring the university to make changes to its governance and admissions process following incidents of bias against Jewish students. However, Harvard President Alan M. Garber has pushed back against these demands, citing concerns about government overreach and unconstitutional requests.
Specifically, Garber highlighted the administration’s demands for auditing viewpoints on campus and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as unconstitutional. In response, Harvard has refused to comply with these requests, prompting the Trump administration to threaten to pull $100 million in federal funding from the university.
The administration has already frozen $3.2 billion in grants and contracts to Harvard, further escalating tensions between the two parties. Despite the standoff, Harvard remains steadfast in its refusal to bow to the administration’s demands, citing concerns about academic freedom and constitutional rights.
The conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard University underscores the broader debate about free speech and intellectual diversity on college campuses. As the situation continues to unfold, the implications for academic institutions and government oversight remain uncertain.
