'Proud' Harvard alumni cheer school for standing up to Trump

Notable Harvard alumni applauded their university Monday after news that the Ivy League school would not capitulate to the Trump administration's anti-DEI initiatives for $9 billion in federal funding.

Trump threatened to pull the $9 billion if Harvard did not do away with their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, or crack down on student protests like the pro-Palestinian demonstrations against the continued retaliatory bombing of Gaza.

The university released a statement saying, "The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government."

Bill Kristol with The Washington Post wrote on social media, "Plenty of complaints about Harvard over the years, but a proud Harvard alum today."

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Harvard President Emeritus Lawrence Summers posted, "Very glad to see President Garber leading Harvard and I hope all universities in resisting extralegal and unreasonable demands from the federal government."

"I’m particularly proud right now to be a graduate of Harvard College. Thank you, President Garber," posted attorney and anti-Trump conservative pundit George Conway.

Legal scholar Lawrence Tribe, who taught Constitutional Law at Harvard for 50 years, wrote, “If you’ve never given to Harvard, GIVE NOW!"

Others, whose resumes did not include a Harvard education, also had praise for the school.

The Brookings Institution fellow and The Atlantic writer Quinta Jurecic wrote, "infuriating that I must hand it to harvard," while technology reporter Kara Swisher wrote, "Finally Harvard lives up to its motto: Veritas."

Jeffrey A. Sachs, a professor at Canada's Acadia University, quipped, "I can’t believe I’m saying this but go Harvard."

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) posted, "Congratulations to Harvard for refusing to relinquish its constitutional rights to Trump’s authoritarianism. Other universities should follow their lead. And instead of doing pro bono work for Trump, cowardly law firms should be defending those who believe in the rule of law."

Last month, Columbia University was roundly criticized for surrendering to Trump's anti-DEI terms in order to keep $400 million in federal funding.