Harvard’s Defiance Draws Stefanik’s Ire, but Praise from the Left

Rep. Elise M. Stefanik ’06 (R-N.Y.) — one of Harvard’s fiercest critics since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel — blasted Harvard for rebuffing the Trump administration’s demands.

“Harvard University has rightfully earned its place as the epitome of the moral and academic rot in higher education,” she wrote in a scathing post on X.

“It is time to totally cut off U.S. taxpayer funding to this institution that has failed to live up to its founding motto Veritas,” added Stefanik, who was recently tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as chairwoman of House Republican Leadership.

But Garber’s stand drew praise from lawmakers on the left.

“This is how we fight back,” wrote Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) in a post on X.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also welcomed Harvard’s defiance, calling it a model for other institutions.

“Congratulations to Harvard for refusing to relinquish its constitutional rights to Trump’s authoritarianism,” he wrote on X. “Other universities should follow their lead.”

The White House, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether they would consider litigation or funding cuts.

—Staff writer Dhruv T. Patel can be reached at dhruv.patel@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @dhruvtkpatel.

—Staff writer Grace E. Yoon can be reached at grace.yoon@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @graceunkyoon.