Nyt: Trump-Harvard clash stems from letter sent in error
According to several White House officials, the document was to remain internal to the task force against anti-Semitism or be sent at a later date
1' min read
1' min read
The letter sent by the White House to Harvard University - making claims about admissions, hiring, and academic programmes - was allegedly sent "by mistake" by the Department of Health's acting legal adviser, Sean Keveney, a member of the anti-Semitism task force. This was reported by the New York Times.
The prestigious university reacted by publicly rejecting the content of the letter, considered too invasive and incompatible with academic autonomy. The White House, however, confirmed the substance of the message and accused the university of unilaterally breaking off dialogue, while leaving open the possibility of resuming contact.
The confrontation intensified whenthe Trump administration threatened to block $2.2 billion in federal funding and revoke the university's tax exemption. Harvard, for its part, insisted that the letter - signed by three senior officials and sent from a government address - could not be ignored or considered unofficial.
Behind the scenes, again according to the Nyt, several White House officials tried to play it down, claiming that the document should remain internal to the task force or be sent later. But by then, the clash was public. Harvard had already rejected the proposal and the administration did not withdraw the letter, essentially confirming its policy.
