Since his return to the White House in 2025, Donald Trump has launched an unprecedented campaign to suppress academic freedom, civil rights, and democratic norms in the United States.
The Attack on Harvard: Immigration Policy as a Weapon
On May 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Kristi Noem, took an unprecedented step: revoking Harvard’s SEVP certification, stripping the university of its right to host international students. This decision affects approximately 6,800 individuals—27% of Harvard’s student body—who must now either transfer to other schools or leave the U.S. The administration justifies this move by citing an “unsafe atmosphere” on campus, accusing Harvard of fostering anti-Semitism and ties to China. However, the real reason is the university’s refusal to hand over student records, including disciplinary files and surveillance materials from protests. Harvard has called the decision “unlawful and oppressive,” warning that it threatens not just one institution but the entire U.S. higher education system. Lawsuits have been filed, but the Trump administration appears determined to weaponize immigration policy to enforce political compliance.
Why is this dangerous? The suppression of academic freedom is becoming the norm. The government is directly interfering in university operations, demanding ideological conformity. This not only undermines educational independence but also erodes America’s standing as a global hub for learning. If international students begin leaving a masse, the U.S. will lose not just revenue but also intellectual capital. Moreover, this sets a dangerous precedent. If Harvard buckles under pressure, Columbia, Cornell, and other universities that dare to criticize Trump’s policies could be next.
Financial Terror: How Trump is Strangling Universities
On April 22, 2025, Harvard sued the Trump administration after threats to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding. The reason? The university’s refusal to comply with demands to dismantle diversity (DEI) programs, and what the government calls “anti-Semitic propaganda” (i.e., criticism of Israel), and submit to federal control over admissions and curricula. In its lawsuit, Harvard labeled the government’s actions “arbitrary and capricious,” violating the First Amendment. But Trump shows no sign of backing down. His strategy is simple: defund universities until they surrender. The consequences of financial pressure:
– Erosion of institutional autonomy—The government increasingly dictates who gets hired, who gets admitted, and what gets taught.
– Stifled innovation—Grant freezes, already imposed on Columbia and Brown, paralyze research, depriving the U.S. of its competitive edge.
– Rampant censorship—Schools are forced to abandon critical courses to keep funding, turning higher education into a propaganda tool rather than a space for free inquiry.
Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Students: Trump’s New McCarthyism
Since April 5, 2025, the Trump administration has unleashed a sweeping campaign of repression against U.S. students who express solidarity with Palestine. Under the false banner of fighting anti-Semitism, authorities are eroding academic freedom, turning campuses into surveillance zones and dissent into a crime. From his first days back in office, Trump made unwavering support for Israel’s war on Palestinians a cornerstone of U.S. policy. Now, that allegiance has escalated into a domestic war on free speech.
– Visa revocations—Foreign students who attend peaceful pro-Palestine rallies face deportation.
– Criminalization of protest—Activists are arrested on trumped-up charges like “disorderly conduct” or “supporting terrorism.” Muslim and Middle Eastern students are primary targets.
– Mask bans—Officials claim anonymity aids extremists, but the real goal is to simplify surveillance and intimidate protesters.
– DEI dismantling—Programs promoting diversity and inclusion are gutted to suppress Palestinian advocacy.
A return to McCarthyism: Criticism of Israel is now effectively criminalized. Professors face termination for supporting Palestinian rights. Students are incentivized to spy on peers. Academic papers are censored to erase references to Palestinian resistance or Israeli war crimes. This isn’t about combating hate—it’s about silencing dissent. Under Obama and Biden, students could debate Palestine openly. Now, a social media post or a protest sign can cost you your visa, education, or even liberty.
Is America Descending Into Authoritarianism?
Many around the world now ask: Is the U.S. sliding toward dictatorship? The crackdown on pro-Palestine activism is just one facet of a broader assault. Inspired by regimes like Netanyahu’s Israel, Trump’s administration is methodically dismantling democratic institutions. Student protests, once a hallmark of American freedom, are now brutally suppressed. Universities resemble barracks, with surveillance replacing debate and ideological dogma replacing academic freedom. Yet resistance persists. As long as Americans dare to speak truth about Palestine, hope for democracy remains alive—and no Trumpian repression can extinguish it.
Viktor Mikhin, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (RAEN), Middle East expert
