If the wealthiest, most politically connected institutions in the country don't have freedom of speech, no one does
Two weeks ago: "It's just non-citizens, and they aren't protected by the 1st amendment"
Today: "Harvard must comply if we intend to “maintain [our] financial relationship with the federal government.” It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner. Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the “intellectual conditions” at Harvard"
https://www.harvard.edu/president/news/2025/the-promise-of-american-higher-education/
Discussion
Most of that government letter is related to affirmative action practices and DEI related hiring. These universities had zero problems firing staff who voiced views that differed from the far-left ideologies that the adminstrators pushed. They were perfectly content with students protesting & shouting down visting speakers who had different views from them, indeed they encouraged it. I have zero sympathy with Harvard on this issue.
This isn't about what their opinions are, it's about the government directly reducing their right to have them. Look, I went to a school that's basically an arm of the DoD – I have no misconceptions about funding coming with strings. I'm just observing the current political climate
I don't like it either but it's been going on for years. The previous administration was doing exactly the same thing except they were forcing internet companies to do the censoring & places like Harvard supported & encouraged it.