A Call to Harvard Alumni: Defend Our Democracy, Defend Our Future

Dear Harvard Alumni,

I write to you not as one of your own, but as a deeply concerned American. I am reaching out because I believe that, in this moment of national crisis, your collective voice and influence are needed more than ever. The actions taken by the Trump Administration against Harvard University are not just an attack on one institution—they are an attack on the very principles that have made our country a beacon of hope, innovation, and freedom.

Why This Matters to Every American

Harvard is more than a university. It is a symbol of academic excellence, a crucible for new ideas, and a training ground for leaders who have shaped our nation and the world. When the government targets Harvard—by freezing federal research funding, threatening the visas of international students, and attempting to dictate what can and cannot be taught—it is not just Harvard that suffers. The entire fabric of American higher education, and by extension our democracy, is put at risk.

The Trump Administration’s Actions: A Dangerous Precedent

Let’s be clear about what has happened. The Trump Administration has:

• Revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, threatening the futures of thousands of young people who came here seeking knowledge and opportunity.
• Frozen billions in federal research funding, jeopardizing breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and the sciences.
• Threatened the university’s tax-exempt status and demanded records on student activities, crossing lines that protect academic freedom and privacy.

These actions are not about policy differences or healthy debate. They are about power—about punishing those who dare to stand up for truth, diversity, and independent thought. History teaches us that when leaders use the machinery of government to settle personal scores or silence dissent, democracy itself is in danger.

A Moral and Civic Duty

Harvard Alumni, you are among the most accomplished and influential citizens in our country. You have the power to shape public opinion, influence policymakers, and defend the values that have made America great. Now is the time to put country above all else. Now is the time to demand—not ask, but demand—that these attacks on academic freedom and institutional autonomy stop.

As Harvard President Alan Garber has said, “Freedom of thought and inquiry, along with the government’s longstanding commitment to respect and protect it, has enabled universities to contribute in vital ways to a free society and to healthier, more prosperous lives for people everywhere.”

The Path We Are On: A Warning from History

The policies we are witnessing are, frankly, Hitleresque—not in their scale, but in their intent. In 1930s Germany, the Nazi regime targeted universities, purged professors, and rewrote curricula to serve their ideology. The result was a catastrophic loss of intellectual capital, the stifling of dissent, and the rise of authoritarianism. Germany’s universities, once the envy of the world, became tools of propaganda. It took decades to rebuild what was lost.

We are not there yet. But the warning signs are clear. If we allow any administration to dictate what can be taught, who can study, and which ideas are acceptable, we risk following a similar path. The erosion of academic freedom is the erosion of democracy itself.

What Happens If We Do Nothing?

If these actions go unchecked, the consequences will be dire:

• Loss of Global Leadership: American universities attract the brightest minds from around the world. Already, international student enrollment is declining, and research output is threatened. If this continues, the U.S. will lose its edge in science, technology, and innovation.
• Economic Harm: International students contribute nearly $44 billion to our economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs. Research funded by federal grants leads to new companies, new industries, and new cures.
• Isolation and Decline: History shows that nations that turn inward and suppress free thought fall behind. The U.S. risks becoming isolated, less competitive, and less respected on the world stage.

A Story from History: When Universities Were Silenced

Let me share a story that every 8th grader can understand. In the 1930s, Germany’s universities were among the best in the world. But when the Nazis came to power, they fired professors who disagreed with them, banned books, and forced everyone to follow their rules. Many of the smartest people left Germany and went to other countries, including the United States. Germany lost its place as a leader in science and ideas, and it took many years to recover. This happened because people were afraid to speak up, and those with power did not act soon enough.

The Power of Alumni: Your Voice Matters

Harvard Alumni, you are not powerless. You are senators, CEOs, judges, scientists, teachers, and leaders in every field. Your collective voice can move mountains. I urge you to:

• Speak out publicly and privately against these attacks.
• Use your influence to demand that the Trump Administration reverse its course.
• Support those within Harvard and other institutions who are standing up for academic freedom and democracy.
• Remind your fellow citizens that the strength of America lies in its commitment to truth, diversity, and open inquiry.
  

  A Data-Driven Warning

  Consider this: Since 2016, international student enrollment in the U.S. has dropped by over 10%, while countries like Canada and Australia have seen increases. Federal research funding cuts have already delayed or canceled dozens of critical projects. If this trend continues, the U.S. will fall behind in the race for innovation and discovery.

  (A chart here would show the decline in international student enrollment in the U.S. from 2016 to 2025, compared to rising numbers in other countries.)

  In Closing

  This is not just about Harvard. It is about the soul of our nation. It is about whether we will stand up for the values that have made America a light to the world, or whether we will allow fear, resentment, and authoritarian impulses to dim that light.

  I am not a Harvard graduate. I am simply an American who loves my country and believes in its promise. I am asking you, Harvard Alumni, to use your power, your privilege, and your voice to defend our democracy—before it is too late.

  Sincerely,
  A Concerned American