Harvard is Good Trouble

Harvard is Good Trouble.

As a proud Penn and Kellogg alum, I never expected to find myself rallying behind Harvard. But in this unanticipated fight, principle demands solidarity. Harvard’s stand against the administration is not just about one university—it is about defending the independence, integrity, and future of American higher education and more.

The Stakes: Independence and Academic Freedom

The Trump administration’s sweeping demands would have reshaped Harvard’s admissions, hiring, faculty governance, and even student life, threatening the university’s core mission and independence.

These demands included government audits, forced changes to diversity and inclusion programs, and even direct intervention in academic governance—overreaching into areas that should remain protected from political interference.

Harvard’s refusal to comply, even at the cost of billions in federal funding, is a principled stand to protect the intellectual autonomy of all universities, public and private.

Why This Fight Matters for Everyone

If the government can dictate what and how universities teach, whom they admit, and what ideas are permissible, the foundation of free inquiry and open debate collapses.

The chilling effect would extend beyond Harvard. What happens in Cambridge sets a precedent for every campus in America. If Harvard falls, so does the autonomy of every institution committed to fearless scholarship and dissent.

The administration’s attempt to bypass due process and threaten funding as leverage is a loaded gun pointed at the heart of freedom.

The Call for “Good Trouble”

Harvard’s defiance is “good trouble” in the best tradition—standing up to bullying and intimidation not just for itself, but for the broader academic community and for the nation’s intellectual future.

This is not about left or right, Harvard or Penn. It is about resisting the urge of the insecure to squash intellects and silence dissent. It is about ensuring that the pursuit of truth remains untrammeled by political expediency or fear.

Why We Must Stand Together

Today, Harvard is the lightning rod. Tomorrow, it could be any institution that dares to challenge power.

Observing Columbia University’s experience—where compliance led to even more demands and continued funding freezes—reinforced Harvard’s resolve that capitulation would not protect its interests or autonomy.

In this moment, solidarity is not just symbolic—it is essential. Inspire the power within to make a difference.

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