President Donald Trump said in a social media post last week that his administration would issue an expiration.
The head of Harvard University responded to a new warning from President Donald Trump to remove Ivy League College’s tax-free status amid the long-term battle between Ivy League University and the administration.
“There’s a reason why we’re not exposed to this dramatic move that would justify,” he told the outlet, adding, “to ensure that institutions have tax-free status, that they can successfully carry out their education mission, and that they are researching at research universities.”
Some schools, religious organizations, charities, private foundations, and others may receive tax-free status if they meet a 501(c)(3) non-commercial qualification under tax laws established and enforced by the IRS.
The White House has threatened to withdraw funding from Ivy League schools on anti-Semitism reporting on campus, promoting discriminatory initiatives and more. Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over blocked funds.
Related Stories
Columbia University’s Ivy League University has agreed to the Trump administration’s demand to overhaul the rules of public protest, rather than billions of dollars in lost federal funds.
Trump previewed in comments last month that he would remove his college’s tax-free status.
“Tax-exempt status, that is, it’s a privilege. It’s really a privilege. And it’s abused. Much more than Harvard. “These schools really have to be very careful about.”
In mid-April, the Trump administration frozen $2.2 billion in grants and Harvard grants and $60 million in contracts with Harvard University.
On April 14, Harvard University rejected numerous requests from the administration. This calls for Harvard University, faculty and curriculum oversight. The White House then announced the freeze.
Trump administration officials argued that the loss of funds was Harvard’s own actions, and that the schools did not follow federal rules.
When asked about the lawsuit, Levitt told reporters that the government would respond in court. “It’s very easy. If you need federal dollars, you’ll follow federal law,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has said that handling of pro-Palestinian protests by leaders at Harvard, Columbia and other universities is a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Reuters contributed to this report.
