Building a private university dependent on government funding is inviting government regulation. Trump, the guy who recognized Jerusalem as the capitol—whose own daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild are Jewish—and who is standing by Israel right now as Iran attacks, is not under suspicion of being antisemitic just because he has dinner with politicians from practically every country and political faction on Earth. That’s what he’s supposed to do.
As tempting as some find it to try to point a finger at Trump for the appearance of political neutrality, it’s kind of a joke. The government is right to combat Harvard’s racist DEI policies and federal funding of private research should be massively reduced by the administration and DOGE. However, the government could be doing more overall to equalize opportunities during childhood, so that policies of hiring or giving preference based on group membership (such as race) are not necessary.
There's really not any "wiggle room" in defining what is a proper act for a government. The principle of private property pretty much determines that, it lays down the right to use it as one sees fit, and the requirement of that right's protection. I think in the Trump vs Harvard case you have irrationality brand A vs irrationality brand B because both are violating property rights by each attempting to use force to control the behavior of the other.
Building a private university dependent on government funding is inviting government regulation. Trump, the guy who recognized Jerusalem as the capitol—whose own daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild are Jewish—and who is standing by Israel right now as Iran attacks, is not under suspicion of being antisemitic just because he has dinner with politicians from practically every country and political faction on Earth. That’s what he’s supposed to do.
As tempting as some find it to try to point a finger at Trump for the appearance of political neutrality, it’s kind of a joke. The government is right to combat Harvard’s racist DEI policies and federal funding of private research should be massively reduced by the administration and DOGE. However, the government could be doing more overall to equalize opportunities during childhood, so that policies of hiring or giving preference based on group membership (such as race) are not necessary.
Great article Sam!
There's really not any "wiggle room" in defining what is a proper act for a government. The principle of private property pretty much determines that, it lays down the right to use it as one sees fit, and the requirement of that right's protection. I think in the Trump vs Harvard case you have irrationality brand A vs irrationality brand B because both are violating property rights by each attempting to use force to control the behavior of the other.