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January 8, 2025
Crime
News

Death Row Inmates Reject Biden’s Clemency to Fight for Innocence.

Two death row inmates have rejected President Joe Biden’s offer to commute their sentences as he prepares to leave the White House, stating they are intent on proving their innocence instead. Shannon Agofsky, 53, and Len Davis, 60, are refusing to accept the change from the death penalty to life in prison, citing the legal advantages they possess while on death row, according to court documents.

Agofsky and Davis filed emergency motions in federal court on December 30 seeking to block the commutations. They argue that accepting commutation would eliminate the “heightened scrutiny” that accompanies death penalty appeals.

This heightened legal review ensures that cases involving the death penalty are examined closely for errors, given their life-or-death nature. Agofsky, convicted of orchestrating the robbery and murder of an Oklahoma bank president in 1989 and later of killing a fellow inmate, claims the commutation interferes with his ongoing legal battles.

Davis, convicted of orchestrating the murder of civil rights complainant Kim Groves in 1994, contests the validity of his federal civil rights offense trial. Like Agofsky, Davis argues that the removal of death sentence scrutiny would impede his legal efforts.

Historically, a 1927 Supreme Court decision established that presidential reprieves require no consent from the individual. Agofsky and Davis, both maintaining their innocence, did not petition for commutation.

President Biden has also issued a large number of presidential pardons since President-elect Donald J. Trump’s victory in the November elections. Pardons include his son, Hunter Biden, despite previous promises that he would not pardon him.

Others, including Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS), former chair of the House Democrats’ January 6 Committee, have expressed interest in getting pardons from Biden before he leaves office, allegedly fearing reprisals from President-elect Trump.

Image by Angie.

By Popular Demand.
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8 minutes ago
Economy
TECH

Intel Set to Slash Over 20% of Workforce.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Intel reportedly plans to reduce its workforce by more than 20 percent.

👥 Who’s Involved: Intel, CEO Lip-Bu Tan, and rival company Nvidia.

📍 Where & When: Announcement expected this week, unspecified global regions affected.

⚠️ Impact: The tech company faces challenges in artificial intelligence (AI) computing and supply chain disruptions.

IN FULL:

Intel Corp. is preparing to announce a significant workforce reduction, potentially cutting over 20 percent of its employees to address declining sales and bolster its focus on engineering, according to reports. This decision comes as the U.S. semiconductor giant works to regain its competitive edge, having lagged behind companies like Nvidia in artificial intelligence (AI) computing.

Sources indicate that the new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, who recently assumed leadership, aims to streamline operations and enhance the company’s engineering focus. However, Intel has not verified reports of the planned layoffs. The specifics regarding which regions might be affected also remain unclear.

While the corporate media appears to be readying itself to blame President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policy for Intel’s struggles, an exemption for computer parts and related products is already in place, and Nvidia is responding to the new situation over the longer term by reshoring production to the U.S.

Notably, Intel already reduced its workforce by approximately 15,000 under former President Joe Biden last year, ending with 108,900 employees, compared to 124,800 in the previous period.

Once recognized as the premier computer chipmaker worldwide, Intel has been overtaken by firms more adept at capitalizing on AI advancements and the corresponding demand for specialized chips. The company’s approach to AI, now widely seen as a transformative technology, has been considered sluggish.

Image by Nick Knupffer.

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By Popular Demand.
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47 minutes ago
Economy
News

Bessent Blasts IMF’s Woke Mission Creep.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for diverting resources to social issues over economic stability, warning against mission drift.

👥 Who’s Involved: Scott Bessent, IMF, World Bank, Chinese Communist Party.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., Institute of International Finance forum, Wednesday.

💬 Key Quote: “The IMF has been whistling past the graveyard,” Bessent said, referring to the organization’s focus on social issues at the expense of its core economic responsibilities.

⚠️ Impact: The IMF and World Bank face pressures to realign their missions. Economic forecasts have been affected by U.S. tariff policies, with U.S. growth expectations reduced.

IN FULL:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admonished the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday for prioritizing woke politics at the expense of economic stability. Speaking at the Institute of International Finance in Washington, he highlighted the IMF’s “mission creep,” warning that the agency “devotes disproportionate time and resources to work on climate change, gender, and social issues… crowding out its work on critical macroeconomic issues.”

“The IMF has been whistling past the graveyard,” the Trump official remarked.

Additionally, Bessent directed criticisms toward the World Bank, a United Nations (UN) specialized agency, advising it to control its spending and warning that its officials “should no longer expect blank checks for vapid, buzzword-centric marketing accompanied by half-hearted commitments to reform” for U.S. support.

The backdrop to Bessent’s comments is the IMF’s recent downgrade in U.S. economic growth projections, influenced by hostility to President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policy. The IMF reduced its forecast for U.S. growth in 2025 to 1.8 percent, down from an earlier estimate of 2.7 percent. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the IMF’s chief economist, explicitly attributed the forecast change to the tariffs.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Immigration
News

Trump Explains Why You Can’t Hold Trials For the Millions Biden Let In.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump expressed concerns over the feasibility of conducting trials for millions of migrants who entered the U.S. illegally.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald J. Trump, President of the United States; Joe Biden, former President; U.S. federal courts; migrants; suspected gang members.

📍 Where & When: Remarks made in the Oval Office; reported on April 22.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re getting them out. I hope we get cooperation from the courts, because we have thousands of people that are ready to go out, and you can’t have a trial for all of these people,” Trump stated to reporters.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s plans for mass deportation face challenges from federal courts, potentially affecting immigration enforcement and policy execution.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump spoke about the challenges related to holding legal proceedings for potentially millions of migrants who have entered the United States illegally on Tuesday. He emphasized the improbability of providing court trials for every individual due to the sheer volume of cases. Trump stressed the need for expedited deportations to ensure national safety, suggesting that obstructive legal processes could lead to a perilous situation for the country.

“We’re getting them out. I hope we get cooperation from the courts, because we have thousands of people that are ready to go out, and you can’t have a trial for all of these people,” he said, pointing out that the current legal system isn’t designed to accommodate trials at such a large scale.

“A judge can’t say, ‘You know, you have to have a trial.’ The trial is going to take two years,” Trump warned. “No, we’re going to have a very dangerous country if we’re not allowed to do what we’re entitled to do. And I won an election based on the fact that we get them out.”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, he highlighted the double standards involved in allowing Biden to let in millions of migrants with no meaningful legal process, while requiring him to go through the courts every time he has to remove one.

“How can Biden let Millions of Criminals into our Country, totally unchecked and unvetted, with no Legal authority to do so, yet I, in order to make up for this assault to our Nation, am expected to go through a lengthy Legal process, separately, for each and every Criminal Alien,” he demanded. “As usual, TWO DIFFERENT STANDARDS, only leading to the Complete and Total Destruction of the U.S.A.”

Court challenges against the Trump administration, particularly concerning immigration policy, have been a recurring feature of its opening months. Judges like the Barack Obama-appointed U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg have hindered efforts to utilize the Alien Enemies Act to remove migrants swiftly, making it harder to deport illegals linked to organized crime groups like MS-13.

President Trump promised a policy of mass deportations of illegal immigrants, particularly criminal aliens, on the 2024 campaign trail. Past polling suggests that a majority of Americans support the policy.

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News

Ex-Cameron Adviser Steve Hilton Enters California Governor Race.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron, has entered the 2026 California governor’s race as a Republican candidate.

👥 Who’s Involved: Steve Hilton, incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom (D), and potential contender and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

📍 Where & When: The announcement took place in Los Angeles. The election is set for 2026, with Governor Newsom unable to run for another term.

💬 Key Quote: Referring to Harris, Hilton stated the governor’s job should not be awarded as a “consolation prize to a failed and rejected machine politician from Washington.”

⚠️ Impact: Hilton aims to tackle key issues such as high state taxes and housing prices, appealing to working families through what he terms “positive populism.”

IN FULL:

Steve Hilton, once a top adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, has announced his candidacy in the 2026 California governor’s race. Running as a Republican, he aims to replace Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited. Launching his campaign with the slogan “Golden Again: Great Jobs, Great Homes, Great Kids,” Hilton’s message emphasizes “positive populism” to resolve the Golden State’s issues.

Hilton, who spent six years hosting a show on Fox News, was director of strategy during Cameron’s first administration, helmed by the notionally center-right Conservative Party in partnership with the left-leaning Liberal Democrats. Having parted ways with Cameron over policy differences on Brexit and immigration—Cameron opposed the former and encouraged the latter, despite promising to reduce it substantially—Hilton has since reinvented himself as a more populist-presenting figure. His platform stresses supporting working families and addressing challenges like high taxes and expensive housing that “destroy the California dream.”

At a rally in Los Angeles, Hilton addressed a potential run at the governorship by Kamala Harris, the former U.S. Vice President and failed 2024 presidential candidate, who has held state roles as a Senator, state Attorney General, and District Attorney. He argued the role should not be a “consolation prize to be handed out to a failed and rejected machine politician from Washington… who thinks she should get this job because of her identity, not her ability.”

California’s election system, which sees an initial field of candidates reduced to a top two in a runoff election, adds a competitive edge for Republicans hoping to break a two-decade statewide election drought. The last Republican governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006, but as a candidate with firsthand experience in international politics and media, Hilton’s run could stir the state’s established political landscape.

Hilton’s past support for Brexit and the Trump campaign in 2016 illustrates his alignment with disruptive political elements. His gubernatorial bid may appeal to California voters interested in an outsider alternative, as the state grapples with high crime, homelessness, and increasingly unaffordable rents and house prices.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Health
News

RFK Jr. Mulls Removing Covid Vaccines from CDC Child Schedule.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly considering the removal of the COVID-19 vaccine from the recommended vaccine schedule for children.

👥 Who’s Involved: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon.

📍 Where & When: The information surfaced in a report published by POLITICO on Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon stated, “No final decision has been made.”

⚠️ Impact: The potential change could alter the public health guidance regarding child vaccinations, though states and local governments set actual school vaccine requirements.

IN FULL:

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly evaluating whether to remove the COVID-19 vaccine from the list of recommended vaccinations for children. A recent report by POLITICO cited anonymous sources said to be privy to the ongoing discussions. While not codified as mandatory, the vaccine was added to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) schedule in 2023.

The CDC’s vaccine schedule aims to guide rather than mandate vaccinations, with decisions about school vaccine mandates falling under state and local jurisdiction. Currently, all 50 states provide medical exemptions from vaccine requirements for school entry.

HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon provided a statement on the matter, indicating that deliberation remains ongoing, and “No final decision has been made.” The potential removal reflects Secretary Kennedy’s concerns over the necessity of COVID-19 vaccination for children. He has previously questioned the need for pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, as children are at minimal risk for severe outcomes from the virus. The timeline for a final decision remains undisclosed.

RFK Jr. blamed the vaccines for causing health issues in children in 2024, including myocarditis, pericarditis, and brain inflammation. He has also stated that there is evidence that COVID-19 vaccines did more harm than good overall.

Last month, it was reported that the CDC would also be examining any potential connection between childhood vaccines and autism. RFK Jr. warns that there has been a lack of rigorous safety studies for 72 childhood vaccinations.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News

‘OK, BOOMER’ – Trump Would Have +4 Approval Rating Without the Over 70s — Why?

PULSE POINTS:

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Removing voters aged 70 and older from the latest RealClear survey shifts Trump’s net approval from 0 to +3.7.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The 70+ group—consisting of early Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation—registered the only net disapproval of Trump at -14.

🧾KEY QUOTES: The poll shows 40% approval and 54% disapproval among voters 70 and older.

⚠️FALLOUT: This age bracket remains the primary consumer base for corporate media and is economically tied to government systems.

📌SIGNIFICANCE: Trump’s approval deficit is confined to a generation with both informational and financial incentives to reject systemic change.

 

IN FULL:

In the latest RealClear Opinion Research poll, Donald Trump’s approval rating stands at 44 percent approve and 44 percent disapprove. Removing the 70+ age group raises his approval rating to 44.9 percent and drops disapproval to 41.1 percent, producing a net improvement of nearly four points.

Voters aged 70 and older are the only cohort with a clear majority disapproving of Trump. All other age groups show either a tie or net approval. The data isolates the over-70 bloc as the key driver of Trump’s neutral national rating.

WHY?

This demographic is disproportionately reliant on legacy broadcast and print media for their news–a part of an outdated “outrage cycle” that has perpetuated falsehoods about President Trump for over a decade now.

Television networks and print outlets remain the Baby Boomer generation’s dominant sources of information, exposing them to consistently negative portrayals of Trump, his cabinet, and his policies. This generation also consistently elected politicians such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Hussein Obama. They backed the Iraq War, were largely culpable in the 2008 financial crisis, and were the first to panic in the early days of COVID, per public polling on the subjects.

In recent years, the “Ok, boomer” meme has sought to reflect how this particular generation finds itself uniquely at odds, politically as well as culturally, with the generations that came after it.

Consumption patterns among younger voters have shifted to direct, digital, and independent channels.

The 70+ demographic also represents the segment of the electorate most dependent on the preservation of entitlement programs. Years of payroll contributions to Social Security and Medicare have created a financial reliance on institutional continuity. Trump’s public posture toward reforming or dismantling government structures runs counter to the interests of voters who now depend on those systems for income and healthcare.

Trump’s support remains strong among voters aged 30 to 69. The polling indicates that opposition from the 70+ generation stems less from ideological divergence and more from structural dependency and media environment.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
War

Vance Sets Firm Deadline for Russia, Ukraine Peace Talks.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Vice President J.D. Vance revealed that the U.S. presented Russia and Ukraine with a proposal to end a conflict that has lasted over three years. The proposal stressed that without acceptance, the U.S. might disengage.

👥 Who’s Involved: Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald J. Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Gen. Keith Kellogg.

📍 Where & When: The comments were made in India.

💬 Key Quote: Vance stated, “We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process.”

⚠️ Impact: Secretary Rubio discussed a potential withdrawal from negotiations, echoing President Trump’s sentiment on procuring peace.

IN FULL:

The U.S. has put forth a proposal urging an end to the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to Vice President J.D. Vance. During a press briefing in India, he emphasized that the proposal is a pivotal moment: if received unfavorably, the United States might scale back involvement.

“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process,” Vance said. “We’ve engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy, of on-the-ground work.”

Amid these diplomatic efforts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled a shift by not attending talks in London, England, ostensibly aimed at negotiating a ceasefire, citing logistical challenges. Instead, Gen. Keith Kellogg, the special presidential envoy for Ukraine, will represent U.S. interests in the British capital.

The conversation surrounding possible cessation efforts underscores President Donald J. Trump’s determination to secure peace. The President has aligned with Rubio, supporting the prospect of a short-term withdrawal from talks if progress remains stagnant. “Think about it, every day a lot of people are being killed as we talk about, you know, as they play games, so we’re not gonna take that,” he warned.

Mutual accusations of ceasefire violations, particularly following an Easter truce, between Ukraine and Russia underscore both parties’ seeming reluctance to ramp down the conflict.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
News

Elon Musk Says He’ll Back Away From DOGE ‘In The Next Month.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Elon Musk pledged to reduce his time working for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Tesla’s net income plummeted 71 percent to $409 million, its least profitable quarter since 2020.

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and Trump advisor; Donald J. Trump, 45th and 47th U.S. President.

📍 Where & When: Musk spoke on an earnings call on April 22, 2025, following Tesla’s Q1 results.

💬 Key Quote: “Probably in the next month, my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly.” — Elon Musk.

⚠️ Impact: Musk’s shift in focus may stabilize Tesla amid boycotts and tariff-related losses, but his MAGA ties risk long-term damage to the brand’s appeal among liberal consumers.

IN FULL:

Tesla owner Elon Musk has announced plans to significantly cut back on his role in President Donald J. Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after the electric car company reported a 71 percent drop in net income to $409 million for the first quarter of 2025—the least profitable quarter since 2020. Sales fell nine percent to $19.3 billion, missing market expectations, as Tesla grapples with boycotts from left-leaning consumers and the impact of President Trump’s trade tariffs on its supply chain. “Probably in the next month, my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly,” Musk said on an earnings call Tuesday evening, signaling a pivot back to Tesla’s core business.

Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has alienated liberal electric vehicle (EV) buyers. Tesla believes “Changing political sentiment” and a 13 percent drop in vehicle deliveries in Q1 reflect a boycott by Democrat-voting Americans and European markets. Tesla’s stock, down 40 percent from its December peak despite a five percent post-earnings rally, reflects investor unease.

Musk’s alignment with the administration has also sparked aggressive attacks on Tesla vehicles and showrooms and even customers, with every Tesla owner being doxxed by hackers in March.

Meanwhile, Tesla faces fierce competition, having been overtaken by China’s BYD as the top electric vehicle producer in 2024.

Musk is betting on futuristic ventures to revive Tesla, including a self-driving taxi service set to launch in Austin, Texas, by June and production of the Optimus humanoid robot later this year. However, skeptics like Gordon Johnson of GJH Research doubt these ventures will yield profits for five to ten years, if ever. “Even the ‘Tesla faithful’ are beginning to lose patience,” Johnson warned.

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By Popular Demand.
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20 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Feds Use Anti-Mob Law to Target Migrant Gang for First Time.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Federal authorities charged 27 individuals associated with the Tren de Aragua gang and splinter group Anti-Tren with racketeering. They are accused of engaging in criminal activities such as murder plots, extortion, and sex trafficking in New York City.

👥 Who’s Involved: The indictment includes alleged members Jarwin Valero-Calderon, Samuel Gonzalez Castro, Eferson Morillo-Gomez, and Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco, among others.

📍 Where & When: The indictments were announced in Manhattan federal court on Monday. The criminal acts reportedly took place in areas such as the Bronx and Prospect Avenue, with incidents dating back several months.

💬 Key Quote: Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch referred to Tren de Aragua as “one of the most dangerous gangs in the country” and praised the law enforcement efforts to dismantle their operations in New York City.

⚠️ Impact: Those charged face potential life sentences under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, previously utilized to dismantle organized crime syndicates like the Mafia.

IN FULL:

Federal authorities have filed racketeering charges against 27 suspected members of a gang network linked to Tren de Aragua and rival splinter group Anti-Tren. These charges represent the first instance of the U.S. government employing the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act—a tool used in past organized crime cases such as those against Mafia families—to target the group, with the Trump administration pushing a much more robust line against migrant crime than the former Biden-Harris government.

The indictment involves allegations of murder plots, extortion, and the sex trafficking of young women in the New York City area. The alleged criminal activities reportedly occurred over several months in locations such as the Bronx, including a notable incident at a Prospect Avenue apartment. According to court documents, members like Jarwin Valero-Calderon and Anderson Smith Zambrano-Pacheco were involved in threats and acts of violence to maintain control over these areas.

The indictment details a specific event where suspects Samuel Gonzalez Castro and Eferson Morillo-Gomez allegedly threatened attendees of a party near the Bronx apartment with violence, underscoring the level of intimidation exercised by the gang.

Authorities also claim that young women trafficked into the United States by these gangs were subjected to serious harm or threats should they attempt to escape. This element of the case highlights grave concerns regarding human trafficking related to the group’s activities.

The charges carry potentially severe penalties. If convicted, the accused face sentences of up to life imprisonment.

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By Popular Demand.
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21 hours ago
Education
Lawfare

Harvard Launches Lawfare Suit Against Trump Over $2.2 Billion Funding Freeze.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Harvard University has initiated legal action against the Trump administration after a $2.2 billion grant freeze following the university’s refusal to adhere to certain conditions set by the White House.

👥 Who’s Involved: Participants include Harvard University, represented by its president, Alan M. Garber, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Cambridge, Massachusetts, with developments since last week’s White House announcement.

💬 Key Quote: “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” said Alan M. Garber, Harvard’s president.

⚠️ Impact: The freeze could significantly affect research, according to Harvard.

IN FULL:

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit in response to the Trump administration’s decision to suspend $2.2 billion in grants following the university’s rejection of White House demands. The Ivy League institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, accuses the administration of overreaching, challenging its independence, and attempting to influence academic decisions by requiring it to screen foreign students for extremist views.

The conflict arose after Harvard opted not to implement measures required by the administration, which included vetting foreign students for anti-Semitism and hostility toward American values, and shutting down diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. These conditions were closely linked to allegations of ideological bias and the university’s purported failure to safeguard Jewish students on campus. In response, President Alan M. Garber argued that the demands interfere with academic freedom and decision-making.

The situation escalated when the White House announced the freeze, suggesting that Harvard was not meeting the necessary conditions for receiving taxpayer money. “Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege,” remarked Harrison Fields, a White House spokesman.

Garber claims that the funding halt could jeopardize research initiatives, including studies on serious diseases like pediatric cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. He argued in court documents that the administration has not established any meaningful link between anti-Semitism concerns and the research projects put on hold—failing to take responsibility for the funding freeze by refusing the administration’s conditions.

The lawsuit comes amid a broader review by the administration into universities’ handling of anti-Semitism and other forms of extremism, with at least 60 institutions under scrutiny.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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By Popular Demand.
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