Scoop: Dems threaten investigation if Harvard cuts deal with Trump
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Harvard Law School graduates raise gavels at the university's graduation ceremonies in Cambridge, Mass., on May 29. Photo: Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
A group of House and Senate Democrats who attended Harvard are threatening their alma mater with a "rigorous" investigation if the school cuts a deal to end hostilities with President Trump, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The lawmakers' warning follows reports that the elite university is open to spending up to $500 million to settle things with the administration.
- "We are alarmed that Harvard would contemplate a settlement of this magnitude under apparent political pressure," the Democrats wrote in a letter first obtained by Axios.
- The letter was led by Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.), along with Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
State of play: The Trump administration has launched a full-scale assault on powerful law firms, universities and media outlets as part of a crackdown on what it says are left-wing cultural values.
- Academia has been a particular target for Trump, who extracted a $200 million fine from Columbia University to end a probe into alleged civil rights violations and unfreeze the school's federal grants and contracts.
- The New York Times reported Monday that Harvard has "signaled a willingness" in negotiations with the administration to meet their demands to spend as much as $500 million to resolve their issues.
What they're saying: The congressional Democrats warned that "any such agreement may warrant rigorous Congressional oversight and inquiry."
- They argued that it "cannot be viewed in isolation" and would instead be seen as "part of a broader pattern of attempted interference ... in the governance of independent institutions."
- "Any acquiescence to unjustified political threats would not only diminish Harvard's standing but also make it complicit in the erosion of fundamental democratic principles," they added.
- In addition to Liccardo, Schiff and Van Hollen, the letter was signed by Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and more than a half dozen House Democrats who are alumni of Harvard.
The other side: "If combating antisemitism is controversial to President Trump's critics, their derangement has reached new lows," said White House spokesperson Harrison Fields.
- "No leader has been a stronger ally to the Jewish people than President Trump. His administration is fully committed to enforcing law and order, protecting civil rights, and ensuring pro-Hamas radicals face the full weight of the law in our unwavering fight against antisemitism."
- A spokesperson for Harvard did not respond to a request for comment.
Between the lines: The lawmakers are already laying the groundwork for an investigation if Democrats retake control of Congress in 2026.
- In their letter, they asked for details about the school's negotiations with Trump officials, the terms of any potential deal and whether students and faculty have had input on the talks.
- They also asked how Harvard plans to "uphold its stated commitment to academic freedom and institutional integrity in the face of current threats or pressures."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
