What Happened When Trump Altered the Deal With Law Firms and Universities - The New York Times

Key Developments

President Trump's campaign of retribution against universities and law firms led to a prisoner's dilemma scenario. Institutions faced a choice between cooperating with the administration, potentially jeopardizing their independence, and facing harsher repercussions for defiance.

Initially, some universities and law firms struck deals with the White House. However, this dynamic shifted as Harvard and other universities publicly refused to comply, denouncing the demands as illegal.

Shifting Alliances

A significant turning point was Harvard's refusal to comply, followed by a unified statement of opposition from over 400 university leaders.

• Law firms challenged executive orders through lawsuits, gaining temporary injunctions.
• Hundreds of law firms voiced support for these efforts.
• Microsoft dropped a law firm that had made a deal with the White House, instead hiring a dissenting firm.

These actions demonstrate a shift from appeasement to collective resistance, suggesting that the balance of power may be changing.