A letter asking Harvard University to comply with President Donald Trump Administration’s sweeping demands was unauthorized and mistakenly sent to the institution, The New York Times reported citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.
Dated April 11, the letter demanded Harvard introduce fundamental reforms to its admission policy, do away with the diversity, equality and inclusion programs and make changes to its curriculum.
In response, Harvard rejected the demands, saying it would never relinquish its independence. The episode sparked a “tectonic battle” between one of the most prestigious universities and the White House.
On Monday, morning a Trump official called Harvard saying the letter from the White House’s task force on antisemitism, should not have been sent and was ‘unauthorized,’ the Times reported citing two people.
According to the Times, officials confirmed the content but there were different accounts of how the letter went out.
“Some people at the White House believed it had been sent prematurely, according to the three people, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about internal discussions,” the report said.
“Others in the administration thought it had been meant to be circulated among the task force members rather than sent to Harvard.”
The same day, Trump administration officials revealed that the goverenment would freeze $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contract value after Harvard said it would not follow policy demands.
A Harvard spokesperson Saturday noted that the “Recipients of such correspondence from the U.S. government—even when it contains sweeping demands that are astonishing in their overreach—do not question its authenticity or seriousness.”
The spokesperson reaffirmed that Harvard will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.
The spokesperson said “even if the letter was a mistake, the actions the government took this week have real-life consequences on students, patients, employees, and the standing of American higher education in the world.”
According to a statement, Harvard said the administration doubled down on its demands through its deeds. “Actions speak louder than words.”
Meanwhile, according to CNN, the White House says it remains open to negotiate with the university on the reforms.
“The White House remains open to dialogue, but serious changes are needed at Harvard. The letter underscores President Trump’s commitment to these reforms,” a White House official said Saturday, according to the channel.
“Instead of grandstanding, Harvard should focus on rebuilding confidence among all students, particularly Jewish students, by prioritizing their safety, holding radical activists accountable, and ending discrimination on campus,” the official said, according to CNN.
