Harvard Chief's Swipe At Trump In Address To 2025 Batch: ‘From Around the World…’

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 16:29 IST

Harvard President Alan Garber, addressing the Class of 2025, extended a warm welcome to students from across the United States and around the world.

Left: US President Donald Trump; Right: Harvard University Chief Alan Garber

Days after US President Donald Trump revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, the university president took a swipe at Trump during the commencement ceremony.

Alan Garber received a huge round of applause at Tercentenary Theatre in Harvard Yard after acknowledging the presence of students “from around the world".

“To the class of 2025, from down the street, across the country, and around the world," he said as students clapped. “Around the world, just as it should be," he added.

His remark came days after the Trump administration on Tuesday asked federal agencies to cancel contracts with Harvard University worth about USD 100 million. The government has already cancelled over USD 2.6 billion in federal research grants for the Ivy League school.

President Donald Trump has railed against Harvard, calling it a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism.

Amid the ongoing tensions, a federal judge on Thursday extended an order blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to stop Harvard from enrolling foreign students.

Harvard also sued the federal government after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked its ability to host foreign students at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“Harvard will continue to take steps to protect the rights of our international students and scholars, members of our community who are vital to the University’s academic mission and community — and whose presence here benefits our country immeasurably," a university spokesman said in a statement.

Notably, more than 7,000 international students, exchange scholars and alumni participating in a post-graduate career training period rely on Harvard for their sponsorship and legal status in the United States.

The Trump administration has accused Harvard of promoting liberal ideology and failing to adequately protect Jewish students from harassment. The administration is now calling for structural and policy reforms to bring the university in line with the president’s political vision.

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News world Harvard Chief's Swipe At Trump In Address To 2025 Batch: ‘From Around the World…’