How some universities are pushing back against the Trump administration

Summary

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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.

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

Transcript

[Shemitah Basu]

Good morning. It's Wednesday, April 16th. I'm Shemitah Basu. This is Apple News today. On today's show, how US Allies are recalibrating after the tariff ramp up and rollback. What we know about conditions at the mega prison in El Salvador where many deportees have been sent. And how many people in California knew an earthquake was coming seconds before it. But first, to President Trump's escalating attacks on colleges and universities. Harvard President Alan Garber announced Monday that the university will, quote, not surrender its independence to comply with Trump's demands to change its hiring, admissions and curriculum. Federal officials moved swiftly to punish the school. Trump threatened Harvard's tax exempt status, and the government says it's freezing over $2.2 billion in contracts and grants, a move that will most likely impact research at Harvard, Harvard and the university affiliated hospital system. Harvard is the oldest and richest university in the country, which gives it some unique leverage that other schools don't have. And it's now the very first school to hold its ground against the administration's demands. The administration is targeting schools that it claims allowed antisemitism to go unchecked at campus protests last year against Israel's war in Gaza and is pressuring these schools to do things like get rid of DEI initiatives. At least seven universities have been threatened with federal funding cuts in recent weeks, but the full list of schools under government scrutiny is actually much larger. A total of 60 received letters from the US Department of Education last month warning them of potential federal action. Notably, Columbia University agreed to the administration's demands in an attempt to preserve some federal funding. Columbia's interim president, who has since resigned, put new restrictions on face masks on campus, gave more power to security officers to remove or arrest people, and changed leadership of its Middle Eastern studies department. The administration paused $400 million in funding anyway. Professors at Columbia held a rally on Monday demanding that the school do more to stand up to Trump. Here are Professors Adina Bargad and Joseph Hawley speaking at that rally. We risk turning this university from a place of discovery into a tool of political ideology and enforcement.

[Yaroslav Trofimov]

So now we need to ask our leadership, why can't you show the same kind of backbone and principles as the leadership at Harvard and Princeton?

[Shemitah Basu]

But Harvard's decision could shift the tone in how higher ed institutions respond to the administration's threats moving forward. I reached out to Michael Roth, the president of Wesleyan University, who has been very outspoken about pressures from the Trump administration on higher ed. And he told me why federal funding is so critical to these institutions.

[Michael Roth]

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.

[Shemitah Basu]

Roth also told me he finds the Trump administration's claims that antisemitism is running rampant on college campuses to be in extremely bad faith.

[Michael Roth]

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. And I think it's really an abuse of anti antisemitism.

[Shemitah Basu]

And he says the public should be concerned as more and more students and academics who have been vocal against Israel's war in Gaza are getting detained by immigration authorities and student visas are being canceled.

[Michael Roth]

If you have an opinion that the Secretary of State disagrees with, that's not a threat to national security. The threat to national security is becoming a country that people from other countries are afraid to visit. The idea that these students are serious threats to the foreign policy of the United States is absurd. And what's really a threat to the foreign policy of the United States is when people see how inconsistent and how lawless the government's been acting.

[Shemitah Basu]

Let's turn now to tariffs and their impact on international alliances. As the Trump administration's exact targets and numbers change frequently. Their highest tariff remains on China at 145%. And China has grown more aggressive in its response to the United States responding with retaliatory tariffs of 125%. This conflict could have repercussions on other negotiations with China, from TikTok to fentanyl and more. If the White House's aim by pausing the so called reciprocal tariffs on other countries but upping China's was to isolate the Chinese government in global trade talks. It hasn't appeared to work yet. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant has said that the US could reach a deal with allies and then approach China as a group to address trade. But so far at least, the Wall Street Journal reports that key American allies are not lining up to join this fight alongside the United States, or at least they're hedging their bets. Yaroslav Trofimov is chief foreign affairs correspondent at the Journal and he told us that a lot of allies are still trying to regain balance after the tariff announcements earlier this month.

[Yaroslav Trofimov]

If you looked at the initial slew of tariffs that were imposed by President Trump, they made no distinction between longtime friends and allies that have fought side by side with the US in all the recent wars, like nations in the European Union and South Korea and outright enemies or rivals like, for example, Iran, which received a lower tariff, let alone China. And so in the beginning, this seemed to be like a trade war against the entire world.

[Shemitah Basu]

Given all of this, some European leaders have signaled an openness to different policy with China. For example, an EU China summit is set to take place this summer and talks have restarted over a dispute regarding Chinese electric vehicle imports, though at the same time they have their own issues with Chinese market practices and what they see as the country's support of Russia during its war in Ukraine.

[Yaroslav Trofimov]

Some politicians are asking themselves, well, if the US Is no longer our ally, if we're going to trust the U.S. if the U.S. maybe seeks to divide Europe together with Russia, well, you know, China is our only salvation no matter how much we, you know, realize the nature of the Chinese regime not being a fellow democracy.

[Shemitah Basu]

The White House has dismissed concerns about the possibility of alienating allies, saying they're too reliant on American markets to survive without U.S. trade. But many are trying to figure out how to operate in this world of uncertainty.

[Yaroslav Trofimov]

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. That makes it very hard for nations to place the trust in the United States being a partner in ally in the long run.

[Shemitah Basu]

Now to some updates on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man mistakenly deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador last month, despite a unanimous ruling from the Supreme Court saying the Trump administration should facilitate his release from custody in El Salvador Salvador and his case should be handled as it would have been if he hadn't been improperly deported. The government has said it's powerless to intervene in the matter since Abrego Garcia is already in El Salvador. The justices also said that the government's argument that US Courts can't grant relief once a deportee crosses the border is, quote, plainly wrong. Yesterday, a federal judge rebuked the Trump administration and said she would compel Trump officials to answer questions detailing what steps they have taken so far to resolve the matter, saying, quote, there will be no tolerant for gamesmanship or grandstanding. And in a court filing yesterday, the DOJ said if Abrego Garcia manages to return to the US he will be detained and removed from the country. Frustrated with the administration's response so far, some Democratic lawmakers say they're planning to travel to El Salvador. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen says he'll travel there today and hopes to visit Abrego Garcia at the mega prison Cecot where he is being held and, quote, check on his well being in this prison. Abrego Garcia and more than 235 other men who were deported by the Trump administration against a judge's order last month are being held in the same conditions as convicted gangsters. That's what sicat's prison director recently told cnn. And I'll remind you, Abrego Garcia has no criminal record in the US or in El Salvador. When 60 Minutes investigated the criminal records of this group at large, it found no criminal records for 75% of them. We know very little about the specific conditions this group is being subjected to, but we know there are close to 40,000 people detained at Sikat. In all, they're put in communal cells that can hold up to 100 people each. There is no privacy. The toilets are open. The lights are on. 24, 7 people are not allowed any personal possessions, any visitors or phone calls. And they're not allowed to go outside. And some of the people detained there, like Abrego Garcia, are not supposed to be there. That's because in 2022, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency in El Salvador to respond to a surge in gang violence. That order is still in place and it allows police to carry out mass arrests. Violent crime has declined since, but human rights advocates say more than 80,000 arrests happened with no due process and thousands of innocent people were jailed.

[Yaroslav Trofimov]

They're in a judicial black hole.

[Shemitah Basu]

That's Noah Bullock, the executive director of a human rights organization in El Salvador. He spoke with PBS about the lack of legal protections for people in this prison.

[Yaroslav Trofimov]

Families and lawyers do not have access to the prisoners. They're entirely cut off. That on itself could constitute a situation of forced disappearances.

[Shemitah Basu]

And he says that judicial black hole and the Salvadoran government's insistence that no detainees at SICOT will be released makes it practically impossible to help people who aren't supposed to be there.

[Yaroslav Trofimov]

What prosecutor could investigate the crimes they allegedly committed? What judge could even see their cases? And what judge could oversee their rights while they're in detention?

[Shemitah Basu]

In recent days, the administration sent 10 more men to El Salvador and President Trump told Bukele he wants him to build five more places to hold more people, even going so far as to suggest that Trump is open to sending American citizens there next. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. Big Bird and Daniel Tiger are back on the chopping block as the Trump administration plans to ask Congress to rescind nearly all funding for public media, including PBS and NPR. That's according to a memo reviewed by NPR. The order will ask Congress to take back $1.1 billion in federal funding from Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which partially funds both entities. That's two years worth of appropriations. Trump and other Republicans have accused PBS and NPR of bias against conservatives. In a statement, NPR said 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, particularly during emergencies when other communications can go out. Trump reportedly plans to send this memo to Congress when it returns from recess later this month. As the Trump administration continues its crackdown at college campuses, a Columbia student who was one step away from becoming a US Citizen was arrested on Monday at what he thought was his naturalization interview. Mohsin Madawi, a green card holder, participated in protests at Colombia and founded a pro Palestinian student group with Mahmoud Halil, another Columbia student being held by ice. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he would revoke the student visas and green cards of those who protested in support of Palestinians and who he claimed helped spread anti Semitic sentiment. Madawi spoke to 60 Minutes in 2023 about a walkout on Colombia's campus that fall where he observed anti Semitic behavior and he shared how he responded.

[Yaroslav Trofimov]

To be anti Semitic is unjust, is unjust. And the fight for the freedom of Palestine and the fight against antisemitism go hand in hand because injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

[Shemitah Basu]

A judge on Monday ordered Madawi not to be deported. And finally, after a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in southern California on Monday scared residents and even elephants at the San Diego Zoo, the quake is being seen as another success for the state's early warning system, known as a ShakeAlert. People can download an app called Myshake that warns them when an earthquake is about to hit, the LA Times reports. People across social media praised the alerts, some which came as many as 10 seconds before the shaking even began. The app is currently active in California, Oregon and Washington state and is run by the U.S. geological Survey. Authorities say the system provides crucial seconds of heads up time, which may be pivotal in the event of a major earthquake. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. New York magazine examines the relationship between convicted murderer Robert Durst and his second wife who stands to inherit his multi million dollar estate. If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News plus narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.