Obama applauded Harvard’s decision with a post on X. He labeled the Trump administration’s proposal as “unlawful” and an “attempt to stifle academic freedom.”

“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect,” Obama said. “Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”

Obama’s words echo the sentiments of Harvard University and its lawyers. 

Earlier on Monday, lawyers claimed that linking federal funding to requests to curb antisemitism, and the administration’s other requests, violated the college’s constitutional rights. Harvard cited the initial communication from March by the Trump administration requesting the changes.

“The government’s terms also circumvent Harvard’s statutory rights by requiring unsupported and disruptive remedies for alleged harms that the government has not proven through mandatory processes established by Congress and required by law,” Harvard’s lawyers wrote. “No less objectionable is the condition, first made explicit in the letter of March 31, 2025, that Harvard accede to these terms or risk the loss of billions of dollars in federal funding critical to vital research and innovation that has saved and improved lives and allowed Harvard to play a central role in making our country’s scientific, medical, and other research communities the standard-bearers for the world.”

They also emphasized that the Ivy League institution would not abandon its principles and “surrender its independence” by acquiescing to the federal government’s demands.

“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” read the letter. “Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Accordingly, Harvard will not accept the government’s terms as an agreement in principle.”

“Harvard remains open to dialogue about what the university has done, and is planning to do, to improve the experience of every member of its community,” lawyers emphasized in the communication to the Trump administration. “But Harvard is not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration.”

Obama has regularly opposed the Trump administration’s policy proposals and political platform. In a recent appearance at Hamilton College, the 44th president was critical of Trump, blasting his actions and encouraging people to stand up for their beliefs. He also cited an erosion of democratic ideals, a problem that needs fixing.

“It is up to all of us to fix this, Obama said. “It’s not going to be because somebody comes and saves you. The most important office in this democracy is the citizen, the ordinary person who says, no, that’s not right. I do think one of the reasons that our commitment to democratic ideals has eroded is that we got pretty comfortable and complacent.”