Obama Says Harvard Sets an Example for Universities Resisting Trump

Former United States President Barack Obama took to social media to praise Harvard’s decision to rebuff the Trump administration’s demands.

“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect,” Obama wrote in a Monday night post on X.

Obama was the highest-profile voice to join a chorus of praise for Harvard on the left. Earlier Monday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey ’92, and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) all said Harvard’s stand could be a model for other schools staring down threats from Washington.

“Let’s hope other institutions follow suit,” Obama concluded.