
In latest Harvard vs Trump showdown, US launches probe into Ivy's exchange program
'The investigation will ensure that State Department programs do not run contrary to our nation's interests,' Rubio said.
'The American people have the right to expect their universities to uphold national security, comply with the law, and provide safe environments for all students,' Rubio added as this marked the latest attempt by the Trump administration to pressure the Ivy League university.
The State Department is probing the Exchange Visitor Program at Harvard, which enables the institution to host international students, scholars, and faculty for short-term academic engagements. If Harvard's sponsorship status is revoked, it would significantly hinder the university's ability to bring overseas talent to its Cambridge, Massachusetts campus.
Rubio said that retaining the 'privilege' of sponsoring exchange visitors comes with responsibility. Harvard, he said, must not 'compromise' the national security interests of the United States.
This is not the first time Harvard has clashed with the Trump administration during Donald Trump's second term as president. In June, a federal judge blocked an administration attempt to bar international students from enrolling at the university. Additionally, Harvard is suing the federal government over the loss of more than $2 billion in research grants.
The renewed tension with one of America's top academic institutions also follows the Trump administration's intensified focus on tackling antisemitism on college campuses. Trump has repeatedly accused Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students, claiming the school violated the Civil Rights Act amid a wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
'Harvard is an Anti-Semitic, Far Left Institution, as are numerous others, with students being accepted from all over the World that want to rip our Country apart,' Trump wrote in an April post on Truth Social. 'The place is a Liberal mess, allowing a certain group of crazed lunatics to enter and exit the classroom and spew fake ANGER AND HATE.'
While Trump suggested in late June that a potential deal with Harvard could be on the table, no agreement has emerged so far.
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Business Standard
28 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump calls Thailand-Cambodia truce easy, cites role in India-Pak talks
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First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
FirstUp: Lok Sabha to begin 16-hour discussion on Operation Sindoor and other top news
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First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
‘Easy as I settled India-Pak': Trump claims ended Thailand-Cambodia clash using trade pressure
Trump has once again claimed credit for helping end hostilities between India and Pakistan, this time while discussing rising tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Drawing a comparison, Trump said he used trade pressure to de-escalate both situations read more US President Donald Trump on Sunday once again reiterated his claim of helping broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by using trade pressure—this time while drawing a parallel with the ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Speaking about Southeast Asia, Trump said the United States maintains strong trade ties with both Thailand and Cambodia. He claimed he personally called the prime ministers of both countries and warned them that no trade deal would move forward unless they de-escalated their conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We do a lot of trade with Thailand and Cambodia. Yet I'm reading that they're killing each other,' Trump said. 'I say this should be an easy one for me because I settled India and Pakistan. I called the Prime Ministers of each (Thailand and Cambodia) and I said, 'We're not going to make a trade deal unless you settle the war.' By the time I got off the phone, I think they want to settle now.' #WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, "We do a lot of trade with Thailand and Cambodia. Yet I'm reading that they're killing each other... I say this should be an easy one for me because I settled India and Pakistan... I called the Prime Ministers of each (Thailand and… — ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2025 He went on to reference the India-Pakistan standoff, saying 'India and Pakistan were really getting ready to go at it. So getting those things settled—and if I can use trade to do that—then it's my honour.' Trump's constant claims of de-escalating the conflict Trump has made similar claims before, crediting himself for de-escalating the India-Pakistan conflict by instructing his administration to cancel all trade deals with both nations. He believes that pressure forced both sides to back down. 'We did some great work—India and Pakistan. That was close to being nuclear. We handled it. We did a lot,' Trump had told reporters earlier at the White House. 'I don't know if any president has done more.' Earlier, Trump also cited a similar approach in other global flashpoints. 'Serbia and Kosovo were going to go at it. I said, 'You go at it, there's no trade with the United States.' That's what happened with India and Pakistan. I told (Treasury Secretary) Scott (Bessent) and (Commerce Secretary) Howard (Lutnick), 'Cancel all deals with India and Pakistan. They're not trading with us while they're at war.'' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, India has consistently rejected Trump's assertions. According to Indian officials, the ceasefire agreement reached on May 10—after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes—was the result of direct military-to-military communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations. Officials also clarified that the dialogue was initiated at Pakistan's request. In a recent phone conversation with Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's long-standing position that all matters with Pakistan are strictly bilateral and that New Delhi does not and will never accept third-party mediation.