Trump to Deliver Commencement Speeches Amid Ongoing Tensions with Academic Institutions

the University of Alabama and West Point, with events scheduled for the first weekend of May and May 27, respectively. This announcement coincides with a tense relationship between the Trump administration and several academic institutions, particularly concerning federal funding and academic policies.

The University of Alabama’s commencement is set for the weekend of May 2-4, while West Point has its ceremonies planned for the later date of May 27. These speeches come at a time when Harvard University has initiated legal action against the Trump administration due to issues related to the suspension of federal funds amid increasing scrutiny over its handling of protests, deportations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices.

Recently, seven colleges, most of which belong to the Ivy League, have faced threats of funding cuts from the government, reflecting Trump's campaign promises to tackle what he terms “critical race theory,” as well as other controversial educational content. Alongside the funding disputes, the administration's antisemitism task force is expected to conduct a thorough review of Harvard as part of a broader investigation into the university's conduct, particularly in light of unrest related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

International students have also been caught in this mounting tension, facing deportation threats and revocation of their legal statuses with minimal warning. Legal representation from the ACLU highlights the importance of safeguarding these students' rights, with lawsuits filed to challenge actions taken by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on campuses. Numerous federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders to protect these students across various states, as around 1,100 individuals from over 170 campuses have reported being impacted since late March.