Good morning.The Internal Revenue Service is reportedlyplanning to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt statusin what would probably be an illegal move amid Donald Trump’s concerted attack on the independence of US institutions of higher education.Trump on Tuesday called for Harvard, the US’s oldest and wealthiest university and one of the most prestigious in the world, to lose its tax-exempt status,CNN first reported.The US president said in a post on his Truth Social platform: “Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’ Remember, Tax Exempt Status is totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!”What else is happening with students?Several international students who have had their visas revoked in recent weeks havefiled lawsuits against the Trump administration, arguing the government denied them due process when it suddenly took away their permission to be in the US.Maryland senator meetsKilmar Ábrego Garcíain El Salvador amid battle over US returnView image in fullscreenKilmar Ábrego García talking to Chris Van Hollen.Photograph: Chris Van Hollen X account/EPAIn El Salvador, the Maryland senator, Chris Van Hollen,met Kilmar Ábrego García, who was sent there by the Trump administration in March despite an immigration court order preventing his deportation.Van Hollen posted a photo of the meeting on X, saying he also called Ábrego García’s wife “to pass along his message of love”.The lawmaker did not provide an update on the status of Ábrego García, whose attorneys are fighting to force the Trump administration to facilitate his return to the US.How did El Salvador’s president,Nayib Bukele, reacted to the meeting?He posted images of the meeting minutes before Van Hollen shared his post, saying: “Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.”Why was he deported?Trump officials have said that Ábrego García, a Salvadorian citizen living in Maryland, has ties to the MS-13 gang, but his attorneys say the government has provided no evidence of that and Ábrego García has never been charged with any crime related to such activity.US will walk away from Russia-Ukraine peace deal if no progress made soon, Rubio saysView image in fullscreenThe French foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot; the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy; and the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, attend a meeting in Paris.Photograph: Julien de Rosa/APTrump willwalk away from trying to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace dealwithin days unless there are clear signs that a deal can be done,Marco Rubio said today.The US secretary of state said in Paris, after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders: “We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end.“So we need to determine very quickly now – and I’m talking about a matter of days – whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it is we’re in. If it’s not, then we have other priorities to focus on as well.”What is happening with the Ukraine mineral deal?The Guardian has obtained thememorandum of intentto be signed next week by Ukraine and the US over a minerals deal. It envisages setting up a joint investment fund between the two countries. The draft recognises the “significant financial and material support” Washington has given Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale 2022 invasion.In other news …View image in fullscreenFlorida State University students wait for news on Thursday.Photograph: Kate Payne/APTwo people were killed in amass shooting at the Florida State Universitycampus in Tallahassee on Thursday, and six others were injured, police said.The 20-year-old suspect is believed to be a student and the son of a sheriff’s deputy.Luigi Mangione wasindicted yesterday on a federal murder chargein the killing of the UnitedHealthcare chief executive, Brian Thompson, a necessary step for prosecutors to seek the death penalty.US airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebelskilled 33 people and wounded 80 others, Houthi-run media said early today, which if confirmed would mark one of the deadliest days of a campaign launched under Trump.The Food and Drug Administrationis suspending a quality-control program for its food-testing laboratories as a result of staff cuts,according to an internal email seen by Reuters.Don’t miss this: Is it curtains up on a new generation on Broadway?View image in fullscreenSadie Sink attends the opening night of John Proctor Is the Villain.Photograph: Stephen Lovekin/Rex/ShutterstockFor much of the past decade, probably longer, regularly attending Broadway shows has been a bit like buying property: yes, some well-to-do younger people can do it, but for the most part, it’s something most frequently enjoyed by baby boomers. But for the last year or so, younger audiences are helping to reposition this typically older-skewed activity withhot ticket gen Z stars and impassioned online fanbases.Climate check: Conservationists sue Trump administration over rollback of green policiesView image in fullscreenThe lawsuit focuses on Trump’s day-one executive order claiming to ‘unleash American energy’ by boosting the oil industry.Photograph: Tannen Maury/EPA-EFEConservationists havesued the Trump administrationover its attempts to boost the oil industry by rolling back green policies. Filed by the environmental not-for-profit Center for Biological Diversity, the litigation focuses on Trump’s day-one “unleashing American energy” executive order. In an effort to boost already booming US energy production, the emergency declaration directed federal agencies to identify all policies and regulations that “unduly” burden fuel producers.Last Thing: A true good boy – rancher’s dog leads two-year-old Arizona child to safetyView image in fullscreenBuford, who helped rescue a two-year-old boy in Arizona.Photograph: Yavapai county sheriff’s officeA two-year-old boy who spent a night alone in the Arizona wilderness wasled to safety by a rancher’s dogand was recovering safely at home with his family on Thursday. The toddler, identified as Boden Allen, disappeared from his home, ending up several miles away and in territory where mountain lions live and roam, according to police officials. Scotty Dunton, a rancher whose property is 7 miles away from Allen’s home, said that his dog, Buford, had discovered the wandering boy and appeared to have protected and shepherded him to safety.Sign upSign up for the US morning briefingFirst Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you’re not already signed up,subscribe now.Get in touchIf you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please emailnewsletters@theguardian.com
First Thing: IRS reportedly plans to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"IRS May Revoke Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status Following Trump's Remarks"
The Guardian
6.0
TruthLens AI Summary
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly considering revoking Harvard University's tax-exempt status, a move that has raised concerns about its legality and potential implications for the independence of U.S. educational institutions. This development follows a call from former President Donald Trump, who suggested on his Truth Social platform that Harvard should be taxed as a political entity due to its perceived political biases and actions. Trump emphasized that tax-exempt status is contingent upon acting in the public interest, framing his remarks as a response to what he described as Harvard's support for ideological and politically charged agendas. The IRS's potential actions against Harvard reflect a broader trend of political pressure on academic institutions, particularly those that are critical of the current administration and its policies.
In addition to the IRS situation, the article highlights ongoing legal battles faced by international students whose visas were revoked by the Trump administration. These students have filed lawsuits claiming that their due process rights were violated when their permissions to remain in the U.S. were abruptly rescinded. Furthermore, the article touches upon a meeting between Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen and Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran citizen who was deported despite an immigration court order against his removal. The senator's efforts to assist García illustrate the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement during the Trump administration. Meanwhile, the article also discusses the U.S. government's position on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, indicating a potential withdrawal from peace negotiations if progress is not made swiftly. This multifaceted report underscores the interplay between political actions, educational institutions, and international relations under the current administration.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant political move involving Harvard University and the IRS, reportedly indicating plans to revoke the university's tax-exempt status. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of former President Donald Trump's ongoing campaign against higher education institutions, particularly those he perceives as politically biased. The article presents a complex interplay between political influence, legal implications, and public perception.
Political Context and Implications
The reported actions of the IRS come amid a broader narrative of political interference in academic institutions. Trump's social media statements suggest a desire to leverage tax policy as a tool for political retribution against universities that he believes are not acting in the public interest. This raises questions about the integrity of the IRS and its role as an independent agency. There is a palpable tension between political agendas and the autonomy of educational institutions, which could have long-term consequences for academic freedom and governance.
Public Perception and Messaging
The article aims to shape public perception by framing the situation as an attack on a prestigious institution, which may elicit a defensive reaction from various stakeholders, including students, alumni, and educators. By highlighting Trump's comments and the potential legal ramifications, the article seeks to draw attention to the implications of politicizing tax-exempt status. This could foster a sense of urgency among the public to defend academic institutions against perceived government overreach.
Potential Oversights and Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the IRS and Harvard, it also touches upon broader issues affecting international students, hinting at a possible diversion from other significant immigration and legal challenges under the Trump administration. This shift in focus could suggest an attempt to distract from ongoing legal battles surrounding immigration policies, thereby influencing public discourse in favor of the administration's narrative.
Trustworthiness and Manipulation
The reliability of the article hinges on its sourcing and the framing of the narrative. While the claims about the IRS's intentions may be based on credible reports, the context provided by Trump's statements could be seen as manipulative, aiming to galvanize specific political support against perceived elitism in education. The use of charged language surrounding "terrorist-inspired" agendas also raises questions about the objectivity of the messaging.
Impact on Society and Economy
This news could have far-reaching implications for higher education funding, potentially influencing donor behavior and legislative actions surrounding educational policies. A revocation of tax-exempt status could lead to significant financial repercussions for Harvard and set a precedent for other institutions. Furthermore, this controversy could impact public trust in governmental institutions, affecting political dynamics and voter engagement in upcoming elections.
Community Response and Support
The article may resonate more with communities concerned about educational integrity and those who view the actions against Harvard as part of a broader attack on liberal values in academia. This could strengthen support among educational advocates, while simultaneously alienating those who favor Trump's confrontational approach to governance.
Market Reactions
In terms of financial markets, universities like Harvard, which are major endowments, have implications for investment strategies and donor contributions. A shift in tax policy could influence investor sentiment toward higher education stocks or related sectors, depending on perceived stability and governance.
Global Context
From a global perspective, the IRS's actions could be seen as part of a larger trend of politicization of education, resonating with similar movements in various countries. This situation reflects the complexities of balancing national interests with the autonomy of educational institutions, drawing parallels to current global debates about academic freedom.
Artificial Intelligence Considerations
While it is unclear if AI influenced the writing of this article, it is possible that AI tools were used to analyze public sentiment or generate content reflecting prevalent narratives. If AI were involved, it might have aimed to emphasize the political ramifications of the IRS's actions, thereby steering public discourse in a particular direction. The article presents a layered narrative that intertwines political maneuvering, institutional integrity, and public perception, revealing the complexities of the current socio-political landscape in the U.S. The reliability of the information largely depends on the transparency of the sources and the framing of the argument presented.