The ongoing conflict between the US federal government and Harvard University is intensifying, with President Donald Trump and Harvard President Alan Garber exchanging criticisms over academic freedom and federal funding. Hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman has directed his criticism at Penny Pritzker, the chair of Harvard's governing board, accusing her of mismanagement.
"The mismanagement here is Penny Pritzker... It's time for a change in leadership in the board at Harvard."
It all began with Hamas and Israel
Ackman's public criticism of Harvard began in October 2023 following the Hamas attack on Israel, when the school faced national scrutiny over how it responded to pro-Palestinian student protests. As Jewish, he accused the university of moral cowardice and called for accountability from its leadership.
Pritzker, a Harvard alumna and former U.S. commerce secretary, has also faced scrutiny since then. As one of the world's wealthiest women, she has a history of public service but has maintained a lower profile in her role at Harvard. Her leadership has faced challenges, particularly following the appointment of Harvard's first Black president, Claudine Gay, who resigned amid controversy over her handling of antisemitism on campus.
The Harvard Corporation, which operates in secrecy, has been at the center of tensions with the Trump administration over demands related to university governance and civil rights. Pritzker and Garber have asserted Harvard's independence, leading to a freeze on US$2.2 billion in federal funding.
Pritzker has publicly acknowledged the criticism but argues that increased government oversight is not the solution. As the situation evolves, many are watching to see how she will navigate the challenges ahead.
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