Trump gains powerful allies in Harvard battle as university fights for billions

President Donald Trump’s legal defense in a major lawsuit from Harvard received a significant boost as 16 state prosecutors, led by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, formally joined his side on Monday. The lawsuit was filed by Harvard after the Trump administration announced it was freezing over $2 billion in grants and contracts due to the institution’s lax response to antisemitism on campus.

Bird, along with the other attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in support of Trump, citing precedent for his actions. The case draws parallels to a similar situation in the 1980s when a popular Republican president challenged a South Carolina college over its ban on interracial relationships. Bird argues that Harvard, with its massive endowment and billions in government grants, must adhere to anti-discrimination laws as a condition for funding.

Harvard, while showing some improvement, still needs to be held accountable for its actions, according to Bird. She commended Trump for taking a strong stance against discrimination on college campuses that receive taxpayer funding. The case against Harvard is crucial not just for the institution itself, but for ensuring that other colleges are held to the same standards when it comes to protecting Jewish and Israeli students.

The case evokes memories of Bob Jones University, an Evangelical college in South Carolina, which had its tax-exempt status stripped due to discriminatory policies. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the government in 1983, emphasizing the public interest in preventing discrimination over religious freedom. Following the case, Bob Jones University reversed its policies on interracial dating, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

The involvement of state prosecutors in the Harvard lawsuit highlights the broader implications of the case and the importance of upholding anti-discrimination laws on college campuses. Trump’s actions in freezing funding serve as a reminder that accountability must be enforced to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The amicus brief filed by Bird and her colleagues underscores the legal support for Trump’s defense in the lawsuit and the need to prioritize the protection of vulnerable communities on college campuses.