US President Donald Trump said on Friday (local time) in the White House's Oval Office that Harvard University will "have to change its ways" after the department of homeland security (DHS) said it would remove the university’s ability to enroll foreign students.
"Billions of dollars has been paid to Harvard. How ridiculous is that? Billions … Harvard’s going to have to change its ways. So are some others," Trump said.
When asked if other universities might also lose the ability to admit foreign students, Trump said, "We’re taking a look at a lot of things."
Trump also criticized Harvard for starting a basic math course for students who have difficulty with algebra.
"Where the students can’t add two and two and they go to Harvard. They want remedial math … so why would they get in. How can someone who can’t add" get into Harvard, Trump asked.
Meanwhile on Friday, a federal judge stopped the Trump administration from blocking Harvard’s enrollment of foreign students. Harvard said this move was retaliation for not following the White House’s political direction and called it unconstitutional.
In its lawsuit filed earlier that day in a federal court in Boston, Harvard said the government’s action goes against the First Amendment and would have an "immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders."
"With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission," Harvard said in its suit. "Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard."
The ruling from US district Judge Allison Burroughs pauses the DHS action while the lawsuit continues.
This court decision comes after other steps taken by the Trump administration against Harvard, including cutting $3 billion in funding, starting several investigations, and threatening to remove the school’s tax-exempt status.
Harvard had also filed a separate lawsuit against the funding cut.
"Billions of dollars has been paid to Harvard. How ridiculous is that? Billions … Harvard’s going to have to change its ways. So are some others," Trump said.
When asked if other universities might also lose the ability to admit foreign students, Trump said, "We’re taking a look at a lot of things."
#WATCH | Washington, DC: When asked if US govt will stop other universities also from enrolling international students, like Harvard University, US President Donald Trump says, " We will take a look at it. Billions of dollars have been paid to Harvard...they have $52 billion as… pic.twitter.com/R6awxAieRc
— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2025
Trump also criticized Harvard for starting a basic math course for students who have difficulty with algebra.
"Where the students can’t add two and two and they go to Harvard. They want remedial math … so why would they get in. How can someone who can’t add" get into Harvard, Trump asked.
Meanwhile on Friday, a federal judge stopped the Trump administration from blocking Harvard’s enrollment of foreign students. Harvard said this move was retaliation for not following the White House’s political direction and called it unconstitutional.
In its lawsuit filed earlier that day in a federal court in Boston, Harvard said the government’s action goes against the First Amendment and would have an "immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders."
"With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission," Harvard said in its suit. "Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard."
The ruling from US district Judge Allison Burroughs pauses the DHS action while the lawsuit continues.
This court decision comes after other steps taken by the Trump administration against Harvard, including cutting $3 billion in funding, starting several investigations, and threatening to remove the school’s tax-exempt status.
Harvard had also filed a separate lawsuit against the funding cut.
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