When Values Matter: Harvard’s Stand Inspires Obama’s Return to the National Stage
It’s rare for Barack Obama to wade into partisan storms since leaving office—but this time, he’s made it clear: Harvard is right to resist. With billions in funding frozen due to their refusal to comply with Trump’s sweeping demands, Harvard’s quiet but firm response has drawn support from alumni, legal groups, and now, Obama himself.
Calling the administration’s actions “deeply un-American,” Obama said, “We don’t coerce speech in this country. We protect it—even when it challenges us.”
The administration’s order, which also targets other elite universities, has triggered a new flashpoint in the culture wars gripping campuses. Obama’s statement adds historic weight to a growing movement among universities choosing to protect institutional integrity over financial convenience.
His appearance at a recent forum at MIT, where he discussed threats to democratic values and the importance of resisting authoritarian tendencies, further cemented the symbolic power of Harvard’s defiance.
