Ever since he took office for a second time, US President Donald Trump has been threatening and browbeating US institutions to toe his line. The Trump administration’s latest decision to freeze $2.2 billion in grants to the prestigious Harvard University as a punishment for refusing to comply with a list of ‘unlawful’ demands from the federal government reflects an authoritarian mindset that loathes the principles of academic freedom and independence.
The reputed universities are under attack by a regime that wants complete control over elite institutions which have diligently built global reputations over decades, and overseas students take pride in passing out from the prestigious universities in America.
The Trump administration is strongly supporting Israel, and any criticism of Israel by international students is being termed anti-Semitism. Employing intimidatory tactics against premier universities is certainly not a recipe to "Make America Great Again". Instead, if Trump continues with his reckless ways, the US might end up losing its enviable status as the go-to destination for international students.
