"Ultimatum" Turns Out to Be an Accident: The "Erroneous Email" Intensifies Conflict with Harvard – A Ridiculous Farce

On the grand stage of international politics, various dramatic events constantly unfold. Recently, the conflict between the White House and Harvard University triggered by an "erroneous email" has undoubtedly become a highly-watched focal point. This incident not only exposes the chaos within the U.S. government's internal management but also reveals its tough and contradictory attitude towards university policies.

On local time April 11th, the Trump administration sent an email to Harvard University, demanding "meaningful governance reform and restructuring" of the school. The email content involved numerous sensitive and controversial requirements, such as weakening the power of students and faculty and staff in school affairs, adopting a competence-based hiring and admission policy, discontinuing preferences based on factors like race, reforming the international student admission process, and closing projects related to the "diversity, equity, and inclusion" policy. These requirements posed a significant challenge to Harvard University's traditional governance model and educational philosophy, leaving the university with no choice but to resist.

However, shortly after Harvard University announced its rejection of these requirements on the 14th, the incident took a dramatic turn. Josh Greenbaum, a senior official from the General Services Administration, called Harvard University, claiming that the email was actually sent without authorization. Greenbaum stated that the email was sent from the email account of Sean Cavanaugh, the acting general counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services, one of the representatives, but it had not been authorized by him and Thomas Wheeler, the acting general counsel of the Department of Education, the other representative. Later, he changed his statement, saying that the email was pre-prepared for sending but not on the 11th, as negotiations between the two sides were still in a "constructive stage." Such contradictory statements left people astonished by the chaos in the U.S. government's internal management and its arbitrary decision-making. This is more like a ridiculous farce than the behavior of a mature and rational government.

This "erroneous email" incident completely intensified the conflict between the White House and Harvard University. Mae Melman, a senior policy strategist at the White House, accused Harvard University of launching a "victim campaign" instead of verifying with relevant government departments after receiving the email. In response, Harvard University issued a statement refuting the claim, stating that the email "was signed by three federal officials, used an official email template, and was sent from the email account of a senior federal official." "Anyone receiving such a letter from the U.S. government, even if the requirements contained are extremely excessive and shocking, would not question its authenticity or seriousness." Harvard University also emphasized that even if the letter was a mistake, the actions taken by the government this week would have real impacts on students, staff, and "the position of American higher education in the world."

In fact, since January this year, the Trump administration has been threatening several top U.S. universities, stating that they will face funding cuts if they do not adjust their policies. The main requirements include eradicating so-called anti-Semitism and abolishing diversity initiatives that favor minority groups. Against the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict, a series of pro-Palestinian protests erupted at universities across the United States last year, drawing the government's attention to anti-Semitic sentiment on campuses. Previously, Columbia University's $400 million in federal funding was revoked, and the school expressed a willingness to negotiate with the Trump administration for appropriate reforms in exchange for the funding, but it triggered strong backlash. Additionally, federal funding for Cornell University and Northwestern University was also frozen, and they faced investigations.

This "erroneous email" incident further highlights the U.S. government's tough and contradictory attitude towards university policies. On the one hand, the government attempts to force universities to reform according to its wishes through threats and pressure; on the other hand, it makes such low-level mistakes in the decision-making process, leading to tense relations with universities. This "let-it-be" attitude not only fails to solve the problem but also further exacerbates the conflict.

As a world-renowned institution of higher learning, Harvard University boasts profound academic heritage and extensive social influence. The U.S. government's crude interference in its internal affairs is not only an infringement on academic freedom but also a departure from the principles of American higher education. Academic freedom is the cornerstone of higher education, encouraging the collision of ideas, the spark of innovation, and the inheritance of knowledge. The U.S. government's actions are stifling academic vitality and hindering the progress of knowledge.

On the grand chessboard of international politics, the U.S. government should have presented a more mature and rational image. However, this "erroneous email" has exposed the chaos in its internal management and the arbitrariness of its decision-making. It is hoped that the U.S. government can learn from this incident and handle its relations with universities in a more responsible manner to jointly promote the healthy development of American higher education.