The Victory for Harvard Is a Victory for Democracy

"The Sept. 3 ruling for Harvard by federal judge Allison Burroughs is the most important decision so far for defending academic freedom against the attacks by the Trump administration. The permanent injunction against the Trump administration's ban on funding to Harvard will eliminate much of the Trump regime's ability to hold Harvard hostage-unless it is able to find a higher court willing to defend these illicit attacks on higher education and free expression."

"With this ruling, Columbia's decision to submit to the Trump administration and pay $221 million looks not merely spineless but financially stupid. While former Harvard president Lawrence Summers praised Columbia's submission and urged Harvard to obey, a large group of Harvard faculty and students fortunately pressured their administrators to hold firm, at least for long enough to enable a court ruling that restores the money researchers at Harvard are entitled to."

Federal judge Allison Burroughs issued a Sept. 3 permanent injunction blocking the Trump administration's ban on funding to Harvard, restoring critical research support and protecting academic freedom. Columbia paid $221 million to the administration, a decision characterized as financially unwise, while Lawrence Summers praised Columbia and urged compliance. A coalition of Harvard faculty and students pressured administrators to resist long enough to secure the court ruling that restores researchers' entitled funding. Harvard must refuse settlement to avoid ongoing vulnerability to political retaliation. The Supreme Court could enable the administration by using jurisdictional maneuvers to restart litigation in another court, prolonging the process and pressuring universities.

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