Harvard to hold its commencement as university faces growing pressure from Trump administration [Video]

Harvard University is holding its commencement Thursday at a pivotal moment, when its place as one of the world’s leading higher education institutions is under what increasingly seems like existential threats from the Trump administration.

Other schools face the loss of federal funding and their ability to enroll international students if they don’t agree to the Trump administration’s shifting demands. But Harvard, which was founded in 1636, a century and a half before the nation itself, is taking the lead on defying the White House in federal court – and paying a significant price.

The Trump administration’s latest salvos include asking federal agencies to cancel about $100-million in contracts with the Ivy League school. The government already cancelled more than $2.6-billion in federal research grants, moved to cut off Harvard’s enrolment of international students and threatened its tax-exempt status.

Visa interviews for international students admitted to schools nationwide were halted on Tuesday, and Trump said …