Henry Pahlow, a Manitowoc County native currently attending Harvard, gives a detailed account of the overreaching and suppressive demands of the Trump administration.

​Hey all! My school’s been in the news as of late, so I wanted to share some thoughts. First, some context. The Trump administration conditioned our federal funding on a number of overreaching and suppressive demands. A few highlights include:
1. Ending Diversity Equity and Inclusion Programs.
2. Turning over school disciplinary records.
3. Allowing the federal government to audit university programs for “ideological capture.”
4. Cooperating with the federal government as they revoke student visas for international students that have engaged in protest activity.
Such demands on a private institution are unprecedented in American history. They are another example of this administration’s efforts to dominate all facets of public life and silence opposition. Bravely, Harvard president Alan Garber rejected these demands, stating, “We proceed now, as always, with the conviction that the fearless and unfettered pursuit of truth liberates humanity—and with faith in the enduring promise that America’s colleges and universities hold for our country and our world.”
Almost immediately after, the administration revoked $2 billion of federal funding. They are attempting to revoke our tax exempt status. Most chillingly, they are seeking to revoke visas for every international student at Harvard. Many of my best friends on campus are from around the world. In fact, it has been this diversity of thought and experience that I have loved most about my time here. Because Harvard will not bow to Trump’s demands, he is seeking to seriously harm the futures of every international student.
History shows us that when authoritarians are defied, they retaliate. This isn’t the end of Trump’s attack on higher education, but rather, the beginning. We are all well-aware of the consequences. Recently, I had the chance to speak with NBC News, where I said, “Presidential terms last four years, funding is temporary, and policy changes. But the legacy you set as a university is forever.” By standing up to fascism, Harvard has clearly made a difference. I hope that the rest of our universities and cultural institutions follow suit.
Ultimately, I am not shy about my politics and never have been. I know many of you reading this have political views different to mine. I recognize and respect that. However, I want to make a plea to you: your vote has consequences. I share this as a way to show how the ramifications of your vote are affecting me and my peers. However, there are many more stories, many which cannot be told. While Harvard is under threat, I still recognize the privilege of attending the wealthiest and most prestigious university in the world. We have the money to afford legal support and the name recognition to win cultural support. This administration’s other targets do not have the same privilege. As we speak, migrants are being separated from their families, and shipped away to prisons in El Salvador. LGBTQ+ youth are losing the right to express their identities. Our elders are at risk of losing healthcare and social security because of DOGE and budget cuts. This is not a political issue. It is a human one. Now, more than ever, is the time to take a stand. For democracy. For freedom. For humanity.

Henry Pahlow