Harvard Faculty Reacts to Tensions with Trump Administration
The ongoing conflict between Harvard University and the Trump administration has drawn attention from various quarters, particularly from the faculty who are directly impacted by the federal actions. Harvard Law School professor Nikolas Bowie shares his insights with NPR’s Michel Martin.
Harvard Law School’s Nikolas Bowie, who holds a law degree and a doctorate in history from Harvard, provides an in-depth perspective on the university’s clash with the Trump administration. The administration has targeted Harvard with significant measures, including freezing over $2 billion in funding and threatening the institution’s tax-exempt status.
Professor Bowie, reflecting on the situation, shared a personal anecdote about his mother’s participation in a study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard affiliate. He expressed his dismay at the possibility of such vital research being jeopardized due to the administration’s actions. “Seven out of $9 billion that Harvard receives from the government goes towards hospitals and medical research,” Bowie noted, highlighting the impact on critical studies.
Martin points out that Harvard’s website emphasizes its research endeavors, prompting Bowie to confirm that projects related to Alzheimer’s and ALS are among those at risk. He underscores that the federal funding’s influence extends beyond medical research, affecting various academic departments and initiatives at Harvard.
One notable area of concern is the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard, which has previously challenged powerful entities under international law. Bowie’s suspicion is that the Trump administration’s dissatisfaction with the clinic’s legal positions has led to increased scrutiny.
Regarding allegations from the Trump administration about a lack of viewpoint diversity at Harvard, Bowie argues that academic freedom should not be compromised by political pressures. He acknowledges the importance of diverse viewpoints but insists that changes should not be made under financial duress.
Two lawsuits have been filed against the administration, challenging both the enforcement of immigration policies targeting noncitizens with pro-Palestine views and the funding freezes. Bowie, an expert in constitutional law, expresses confidence in the lawsuits’ potential success, asserting that the administration’s actions are unconstitutional.
Professor Bowie concludes by emphasizing the importance of academic independence, stating, “No law in this country permits the president to seize federal funds and to just keep them until an institution complies with his personal will.” He strongly believes that the administration’s measures are a misuse of power aimed at punishing political adversaries.
Nikolas Bowie is the Louis D. Brandeis Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, and his insights provide a window into the faculty’s perspective on the university’s ongoing legal and political challenges.
