Harvard University is in a heated standoff with the Trump administration over demands that critics say are an attack on the university’s liberal reputation among conservatives. The president’s team has threatened to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status, which would mark a significant escalation of Trump’s use of federal agencies to silence institutions he disagrees with.
The dispute began when the IRS received a letter from Trump’s antisemitism taskforce, listing demands including banning face masks and closing diversity programs. Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, refused to back down, saying the university would not surrender its independence or constitutional rights.
In response, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts, and called for the IRS to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status. Critics say this is an attempt to punish the university for standing up to Trump’s demands.
Tax-exempt status allows organizations to avoid paying federal income tax, but comes with certain rules. The IRS typically grants this status to charitable, scientific, or educational institutions, as long as they follow strict guidelines on campaign activity and governance.
The move is part of a broader pattern of Trump using the IRS to target perceived enemies. In 2022, he used the agency to audit former FBI director James Comey and his deputy Andrew McCabe during their transition from public office. Experts say this kind of action is unusual and potentially unconstitutional.
As the standoff continues, Harvard’s attorneys have vowed to defend the university’s constitutional rights, arguing that Trump’s demands are in direct contravention of the First Amendment. The outcome remains uncertain, with the fate of Harvard’s tax-exempt status hanging in the balance.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/18/trump-harvard-irs-tax-status