By Ethan Caldwell 
In a bold move to reshape federal education funding, the Trump administration has suggested redirecting approximately $3 billion in federal grants previously allocated to Harvard University toward the establishment and expansion of trade schools across the United States. The proposal, announced by President Donald Trump in an earlier social media post on Monday, aims to prioritize vocational education and workforce development over traditional academic institutions.
The announcement follows a series of actions targeting Harvard, including the recent freezing of over $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts to the university, as well as an attempt to revoke its ability to enroll international students. These measures, led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, were justified by claims that Harvard has fostered “violence, antisemitism, and coordination with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.” However, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order last week, blocking the administration’s attempt to bar Harvard from enrolling international students, citing a “blatant violation of the First Amendment” and retaliation against the university for resisting government demands on its governance, curriculum, and faculty ideology.
Harvard, which enrolls nearly 6,800 international students—approximately 27% of its student body—has called the administration’s actions “unlawful” and a threat to its academic mission. Harvard President Alan Garber emphasized the critical role of international students, stating, “This is a critical step to protect the rights and opportunities of our international students and scholars, who are vital to the University’s mission and community.” A hearing to determine whether the restraining order will be extended is scheduled for Thursday.
The proposed redirection of funds to trade schools reflects President Trump’s broader agenda to bolster vocational training and address what he describes as an overemphasis on elite academic institutions. In his Truth Social post, Trump criticized Harvard, claiming that the home countries of some international students are “not at all friendly to the United States” and “pay NOTHING toward their student’s education.” He further accused the university of withholding information about its foreign students.
The administration’s actions have sparked widespread debate. Congressional Democrats, including Representative Jaime Raskin, have condemned the moves as an “intolerable attack on Harvard’s independence and academic freedom.” Meanwhile, other universities, such as NYU, Johns Hopkins, and Columbia, which also rely heavily on international student enrollment, are closely monitoring the situation, fearing similar measures could be applied to them.
The Trump administration’s push to redirect funds to trade schools has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters argue it will provide much-needed resources to train skilled workers in high-demand fields, while critics warn it could undermine the financial stability of research universities and disrupt the broader U.S. higher education system, which benefits significantly from the $44 billion contributed annually by international students.
As this situation develops, the administration has hinted at potential further actions against other academic institutions, with Noem indicating that the Harvard case should “serve as a warning to all universities.” The outcome of Thursday’s hearing and the ongoing legal battles will likely shape the future of this high-stakes confrontation between the Trump administration and one of America’s most prestigious universities.
Andreas Lundberg