Apple News Today: Episode Summary – "How Some Universities Are Pushing Back Against the Trump Administration"

Release Date: April 16, 2025

In this episode of Apple News Today, host Shemitah Basu delves into the increasing tensions between the Trump administration and prestigious U.S. universities. The episode explores the administration's attempts to exert control over academic institutions and the various responses from university leaders, faculty, and experts. Additionally, the podcast touches on related national and international issues, providing a comprehensive overview of the current socio-political landscape.

1. Universities Stand Firm Against Presidential Pressure

Harvard University's Defiance

The episode opens with Harvard University's decisive stance against President Trump's demands to alter its hiring practices, admissions processes, and curriculum. Harvard President Alan Garber unequivocally stated that the university would "not surrender its independence" in response to the administration's coercion (00:05).

• Notable Quote:
  "We risk turning this university from a place of discovery into a tool of political ideology and enforcement."
  — Professors Adina Bargad and Joseph Hawley [02:31]

Despite being the oldest and wealthiest institution in the country, Harvard faces significant repercussions. The Trump administration has threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status and has already frozen over $2.2 billion in contracts and grants, impacting both the university and its affiliated hospital system.

Federal Targeting of Universities

The administration is particularly focused on universities that, according to them, failed to address antisemitism during campus protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. Beyond Harvard, at least seven universities have received threats of federal funding cuts, with a total of 60 institutions being warned by the U.S. Department of Education about potential federal action.

Columbia University's Compliance and Backlash

In contrast to Harvard, Columbia University chose to comply with the administration's demands in an effort to safeguard some federal funding. This compliance involved implementing new campus policies, such as restricting face masks, empowering security officers to remove or arrest individuals, and restructuring the Middle Eastern studies department. Consequently, the administration has paused $400 million in funding for Columbia.

• Notable Quote:
  "If you looked at the initial slew of tariffs that were imposed by President Trump, they made no distinction between longtime friends and allies..."
  — Yaroslav Trofimov [05:52]

Nevertheless, Columbia faced significant backlash from its faculty and students. Professors Adina Bargad and Joseph Hawley spearheaded a rally demanding stronger resistance against the Trump administration's pressures, highlighting the ongoing conflict between academic freedom and political interference.

2. Perspectives from Academic Leaders

Interview with Michael Roth, President of Wesleyan University

Shemitah Basu interviewed Michael Roth, who provided deep insights into the critical role of federal funding for higher education and critiqued the Trump administration's justifications for targeting universities.

• Importance of Federal Funding:
  "Since the Second World War, at least the government has recognized that by subsidizing research, the country as a whole benefits through the discovery of vaccines, through the discovery of new technologies that will be used in commerce, through the discovery of new drugs that can be used for the treatment of diabetes or cancer."
  — Michael Roth [02:59]

• Critique of Administration's Claims:
  "As one of the most out Jewish presidents in a secular institution in the United States, I find it extremely distressing to see the legitimate efforts to stamp out antisemitism joined to these other efforts to actually make people align with the ideology or the whims of the leader."
  — Michael Roth [03:30]

Roth vehemently criticized the administration's assertions that antisemitism is rampant on campuses, labeling them as "in extremely bad faith" and an abuse of anti-antisemitism measures. He warned of the broader implications for national security, emphasizing that the administration's actions undermine the United States' foreign policy and international reputation.

3. Tariffs and the Shifting Dynamics of International Alliances

The podcast transitions to an analysis of the Trump administration's inconsistent tariff policies and their impact on U.S. alliances.

Tariff Inconsistencies and Global Trade Tensions

The administration maintains the highest tariff on China at 145%, with China responding with retaliatory tariffs of 125%. This tit-for-tat escalation has complicated other trade negotiations, including those involving TikTok and fentanyl. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant expressed optimism about potential deals with allies to collectively address trade issues with China, but skepticism remains.

• Notable Quote:
  "It's not just the American intentions that are not clear, but also the entire decision-making process is so haphazard with decisions made and reversed and changed in a very unpredictable fashion."
  — Yaroslav Trofimov [07:13]

Yaroslav Trofimov, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent at the Wall Street Journal, highlighted the confusion and frustration among U.S. allies, noting that the administration's broad tariff approach lacked distinction between allies and adversaries. This has led to uncertainty and reluctance among key partners to fully support U.S. trade policies.

European Leaders' Strategic Responses

Some European nations are reconsidering their policies towards China amidst the strained U.S.-China relations. An upcoming EU-China summit aims to address disputes over Chinese electric vehicle imports, although tensions persist over China's market practices and its support for Russia.

4. Human Rights Concerns: Deportations to El Salvador

Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident without a criminal record, to El Salvador. This deportation defied a unanimous Supreme Court ruling mandating his release and proper handling.

• Judicial Critique:
  "The government's argument that US Courts can't grant relief once a deportee crosses the border is, 'plainly wrong.'"
  — Supreme Court Ruling [05:00–05:30]

A federal judge has since ordered Trump officials to provide detailed answers regarding their efforts to rectify the situation, emphasizing zero tolerance for "gamesmanship or grandstanding."

Conditions in El Salvador's Mega Prison

Abrego Garcia, along with over 235 others deported erroneously, is held in the mega prison Cecot under dire conditions akin to those of convicted gang members. The prison, accommodating around 40,000 detainees in overcrowded communal cells without privacy or basic necessities, has been criticized by human rights advocates.

• Notable Quote:
  "They're in a judicial black hole."
  — Yaroslav Trofimov [10:21]

Noah Bullock, Executive Director of a human rights organization in El Salvador, described the detention environment as a "judicial black hole," where detainees lack access to legal representation, family, or any form of due process. The Trump administration's continued deportations, including the recent transfer of 10 more men to El Salvador, exacerbate these human rights violations.

Legislative and Judicial Responses

Democratic lawmakers, including Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, are taking proactive measures by traveling to El Salvador to investigate the conditions at Cecot and advocate for detainees like Abrego Garcia. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has indicated that any return of Abrego Garcia to the U.S. would result in his detention and removal, further complicating his legal standing.

5. Additional News Highlights

Threats to Public Media Funding

The Trump administration is poised to request Congress to rescind nearly all federal funding for public media entities like PBS and NPR. A memo reviewed by NPR details plans to withdraw $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, effectively eliminating two years' worth of funding. This move is part of a broader effort by Trump and Republicans to counter perceived conservative bias in public media.

• Impact Statement:
  "Cutting CPB funding would have a devastating impact on American communities. In many rural areas, NPR stations are some of the most reliable sources of information..."
  — NPR Statement [10:00–10:30]

Arrest of Pro-Palestinian Student

Amid the administration's crackdown on university campuses, Mohsin Madawi, a Columbia student involved in pro-Palestinian protests, was arrested mistakenly during what he believed was his naturalization interview. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has threatened to revoke the visas and green cards of students who supported Palestinian causes, labeling them as spreading antisemitic sentiment.

• Judicial Intervention:
  "A judge ordered Madawi not to be deported."
  — Shemitah Basu [13:31]

Advancements in Earthquake Early Warning Systems

In a demonstration of successful technology, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in Southern California was detected seconds before it struck, thanks to the ShakeAlert system. Residents, including those at the San Diego Zoo, received timely alerts via the MyShake app, underscoring the importance of early warning systems in mitigating earthquake impacts.

• Community Response:
  "People across social media praised the alerts, some which came as many as 10 seconds before the shaking even began."
  — Shemitah Basu [13:00]

Conclusion

This episode of Apple News Today provides an in-depth examination of the ongoing conflict between U.S. higher education institutions and the Trump administration, highlighting significant implications for academic freedom, international relations, and human rights. Through expert interviews and firsthand accounts, Shemitah Basu underscores the resilience of universities like Harvard and the challenges they face in maintaining independence amidst political pressures. Additionally, the podcast addresses broader national issues, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current events shaping the United States and its global interactions.

For more detailed stories and updates, listeners are encouraged to access the full episode on the Apple News app.