Institutions of higher learning secretly engaging in dialogues with a White House official to potentially circumvent Harvard's predicament, according to a confidential source.
College and university leaders are privately negotiating with a senior White House policy strategist to avoid becoming targets of the Trump administration's escalating attacks against Ivy League institutions, including Harvard University.
These discussions revolve around the universities staying out of the administration's crosshairs, with the higher education leaders inquiring about the necessary signals to send. The senior White House policy strategist in question—May Mailman—collaborates closely with Stephen Miller, who is an architect of the administration's strategy to target colleges over perceived insufficient policing of alleged antisemitism on campuses.
Meanwhile, the White House is communicating to these leaders that "the money cannot simply flow unabated" and that universities are incubators of discrimination. As part of its investigation into dozens of other schools, the administration is looking to strike a deal with a high-profile university.
The administration reportedly wants a "name-brand university" to make a deal that covers not just antisemitism and protests, but diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and intellectual diversity. The aim is to have President Trump announce that he has negotiated a deal with a well-known university, which would provide him coverage to claim he is not intent on destroying higher education.
Some schools have already experienced funding cuts and are concerned about the future of visas for international students. Acting upon these concerns, the conversations are continuing, and the White House maintains it is open to making deals with institutions willing to embrace common sense, stop violating the law, and commit to restoring order on their campuses.
Other schools are waiting for the White House to shift its attention away from Harvard. Communications between these institutions and the task force have been described as "irregular," with no enthusiasm from the school leadership to become the task force's model school.
Harvard, in response, has launched an aggressive legal strategy and has been proactive in organizing alumni networks, while some universities are hiring political consultants and experts to address the administration's demands. The efforts to target Harvard began even before President Trump resumed office, with the administration's actions extending beyond antisemitism concerns to focus on academic freedom, federal funding, and campus oversight.
The administration's crackdown is led by the Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, with a rotating focus determined during regular interagency meetings. Former Fox News personality and senior Justice Department official Leo Terrell plays a significant role alongside Stephen Miller and May Mailman in driving decision-making.
The administration's next potential targets include the University of California system, among others, according to Leo Terrell's recent statements to Fox News. The administration has been pleased with the steps taken by some schools, praising them for complying with its demands, such as dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and cracking down on campus protests.
Approached for comment, Rachel Zaentz, a spokesperson for the University of California system, stated that the schools are diligently working to root out antisemitism and actively cooperating with the administration. The White House has told CNN that the task force is currently holding discussions with Harvard, Columbia, Northwestern University, Cornell University, and the University of Michigan, and has also identified several other schools, including George Washington University and the University of Southern California, as potential targets.
The task force investigation often begins with complaints, with funding potentially paused or removed entirely if the school under investigation does not cooperate or blatantly disregards federal law. As of Wednesday, there are over 70 colleges and universities under active Title VI investigations due to violations of federal law.
The ongoing legal battles with Harvard involve claims of antisemitism, investigations into foreign funding sources, and potential tax implications. Changes to the Higher Education Act could significantly impact the taxation of private college and university investment income, particularly for schools with large endowments, like Harvard.
- Higher education leaders are seeking to understand the necessary signals to avoid becoming targets of the Trump administration's attacks, as they navigate the politics of education and self-development.
- The administration is not only focusing on perceived insufficient policing of antisemitism on campuses, but also expanding its investigations to include diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, intellectual diversity, and campus oversight.
- As a result, some universities are hiring political consultants and experts to address the administration's demands, while others, like Harvard, have launched aggressive legal strategies and organized alumni networks in response.
- Online education, general news, and learning platforms are likely to see increased attention as the administration's policy-and-legislation strategy unfolds, with potential impacts on the taxation of private college and university investment income and the future of visas for international students.
