Trump threatens to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status again.

In a significant escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University, President Donald Trump reaffirmed on Friday his intention to revoke the prestigious institution’s tax-exempt status. This move targets Harvard’s recent non-compliance with various administration demands, including commitments to overhaul its leadership and admissions policies, as well as improve accountability regarding campus diversity initiatives.

While the President’s assertion came via a social media post from Palm Beach, Florida, it raises legal and constitutional questions. Federal law prohibits senior officials from directing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to initiate or cease audits or inquiries into specific taxpayers. The White House has maintained that any potential IRS actions would be conducted independently, without influence from the presidency.

In his statement, Trump declared, “We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve.” This reflects an ongoing confrontation with the university, which has historically resisted federal pressure to modify its policies.

Harvard has characterized this threat as unfounded, asserting that there is “no legal basis” for such an unprecedented action. The university cautioned that revoking its tax-exempt status would significantly undermine its educational mission, potentially leading to decreased financial aid, a detrimental impact on vital medical research programs, and setbacks in innovations crucial to higher education.

Amid these developments, the Treasury Department reportedly directed a senior IRS official to begin reviewing Harvard’s tax-exempt status shortly after Trump’s mid-April comments questioning its legitimacy. However, proponents of Harvard argue that Trump’s actions are politically motivated, designed to appeal to his supporter base, which is often critical of elite institutions.

Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and Ron Wyden, have called for an investigation into Trump’s actions, highlighting concerns over potential violations of due process and free speech rights associated with the university’s standing.

The overarching narrative from the Trump administration frames this issue as part of a broader initiative to combat antisemitism on college campuses while simultaneously positioning itself against elite educational institutions. Trump himself stated during a recent commencement address that the narratives of the future will be defined not by institutions like Harvard, but by local communities, emphasizing a populist approach to his administration’s educational policy.

As the situation unfolds, the implications of Trump’s actions on Harvard’s federal support and its ability to engage international students remain to be seen, with significant ramifications for the landscape of American higher education at stake.