Trump attacks family company’s adviser in fresh assault on ‘liberal mess’ Harvard
President Trump has once again taken aim at Harvard University, this time targeting an attorney retained by his family company. In a scathing post on social media, the president referred to Harvard as an “Anti-Semitic, Far Left Institution” and a “Liberal mess,” calling it a threat to democracy. The focus of his ire was William Burck, an outside ethics adviser for the Trump Organization who is representing the school in a lawsuit against the White House over a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze.
In his post, Trump expressed his hope that Burck would be “forced to resign, immediately, or be fired.” He criticized the attorney’s representation of both Harvard and the Trump Organization, stating that he was not satisfied with Burck’s performance. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, echoed his father’s sentiments, citing a conflict of interest and announcing that the company would be seeking new legal counsel.
Harvard filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the frozen funding, with University President Alan Garber accusing the government of overreach and interference in campus affairs. The lawsuit alleges that the administration is seeking “unprecedented and improper control” over the university to ensure the flow of taxpayer money.
The Trump administration’s White House task force on antisemitism recently sent a list of demands to Harvard, urging the school to address issues of antisemitism and make changes to its diversity and gender programs. The demands included implementing more merit-based hiring practices, ending certain programs, and screening international applicants for adherence to American values.
Trump’s criticism of Harvard extends beyond the lawsuit, as he has threatened to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status in response to their actions. The president has characterized Harvard as a hotbed of anti-Semitic sentiment and criticized the school for allowing what he perceives as radical ideologies to flourish on campus.
In the wake of a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, Harvard saw one of the largest anti-Israel protests on campus, further fueling tensions between the university and the Trump administration. The administration has cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as justification for their actions, arguing that federal funding cannot support institutions that engage in discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
The ongoing legal battle between Harvard and the Trump administration underscores the deep divisions in American society and the challenges of balancing free speech with concerns about discrimination and bias. The outcome of this dispute will have far-reaching implications for both the university and the administration, as they navigate the complex landscape of higher education and government oversight.
