Dear friends,

Imagine if China were about to seize a strategic American asset worth hundreds of billions of dollars—a resource that fuels our economy, bolsters our military edge, and saves countless lives through scientific discovery. Would the U.S. government stand by and do nothing?

Of course not. Any country would treat that as an act of war.

And yet, that’s precisely what the Trump Administration is doing as I discuss in my latest on Bloomberg Opinion—only this time, the threat is coming from within. The administration is moving to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students and threatening to pull its federal funding. The implications are staggering.

This is not just about one school. Harvard is a pillar of American strength. Its faculty drive global innovation. Its medical research leads the fight against cancer and heart disease—the two leading causes of death in the U.S. Its graduates power every sector of American business, science, diplomacy, and leadership.

Blocking international talent from studying and working there doesn’t just hurt Harvard. It weakens America.

Let’s be clear: Harvard, like many elite institutions, has real problems—including the way it has mishandled antisemitism on campus. Those criticisms are valid and overdue.

But that’s not what this is really about.

The Department of Education’s justification for cutting off funding barely mentions antisemitism. Instead, it criticizes Harvard for hosting Democratic officials and offering academic freedom to visiting scholars. The Trump Administration’s own record on antisemitism—from Trump dining with avowed neo-Nazis to appointing officials with ties to extremist groups—makes it clear this is about power, not principle.

Why it matters: Seizing control of universities is among the first steps of any authoritarian regime. We’ve seen this playbook in places like Hungary. When independent institutions fall in line under political pressure, the consequences are long-term and far-reaching.

If Harvard—the richest, most influential, most global university on Earth—can’t defend its independence, who can?

This isn’t just about one university. It’s about whether America still values the institutions that made it strong. It’s about the future of scientific research, business leadership, and the global talent pipeline that drives U.S. innovation.

If we let this happen, we will be weaker for it.

—Gautam

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Further Reading….

If you like this kind of deep dive on leadership and innovation, I’ve got some more suggestions. Here are some books you’ll love.