Trump Has Targeted Universities Like Harvard, Cornell, Columbia. Why?

Since taking office last year, the Trump administration has been exerting extraordinary influence over American universities by threatening to cut them off from funding and, in some cases, students.

President Trump and his allies have focused their attacks on elite universities, which they say are bastions of antisemitism and ideological indoctrination. A handful of the schools — Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Northwestern, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia — have made deals with the administration. Some have agreed to pay millions of dollars to restore research funds and end federal investigations.

Harvard has fought back in court, even as it has negotiated with the White House, while others have exclusively pursued quiet talks with the government.

The Trump administration has also floated a proposal to steer financial benefits to schools that align with Mr. Trump’s ideology for higher education. Most of the universities that the administration solicited for feedback rejected the proposal.

But as universities contend with Washington’s demands, the long-term result could remake higher education across the country. Billions in funds for research have been frozen, while administration officials have also tried to prevent universities from enrolling international students.

The higher education industry has acknowledged shortcomings and failures, but university leaders have also warned that the federal government is trying to stamp out academic freedom, a cornerstone of the American education system.