This week, the Harvard-Trump showdown has escalated. Harvard has announced it will sue the administration on the grounds that the federal funds budget freeze compromises the university’s academic freedom and infringes on the First Amendment. Filed in a Massachusetts federal court, the suit follows a letter sent to Harvard by the Trump administration threatening the university with cuts. But is Harvard “owed” public funds?

Taking on the Harvard issue, Nikolai Wenzel makes the case that America’s founding principles are more pertinent than ever, especially during an era in which they’re too often ignored at the university level.

Craig Eyermann explains that government initiatives fail not simply because of incompetence but rather because of inherent flaws and perverse incentives.

Francis Crescia questions whether central banker Mark Carney is more of the same as Justin Trudeau or if his rising stardom indicates an even greater acceptance of centralized economic control in Canada.

In a working paper, Caleb Petitt discusses the effect of worldwide tax uniformity on economic freedom.

Finally, a new episode of The Independent with Scott Atlas features guest economist John Cochrane. They analyze the most significant and controversial policy challenges facing the Trump administration.

Enjoy this issue of Independent Weekly!

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor