Trump gathers MAGA elite to 'brainstorm' new ways to punish Harvard: report

President Donald Trump gathered together a meeting of the MAGA minds to "brainstorm" new ways to punish Harvard University, Politico reported on Friday afternoon.

Trump "convened officials from nearly a dozen agencies on Wednesday to brainstorm additional punitive measures, according to one administration official and a second person familiar with the meeting, who were granted anonymity to share details," reported Sophia Cai and Megan Messerly. Politico's source "said that forthcoming actions are expected from the State, Treasury, Health and Human Services and Justice departments, among others, and could happen as early as next month."

According to the report, behind the scenes some of Trump's allies are fearful that the president's scorched-earth attack on the Boston-area Ivy League university are backfiring and winning the school public sympathy. However, Trump wants to press ahead regardless.

The report noted that "some options include having the Department of Justice expand its investigation into the university’s admissions policies or cutting money to medical institutions affiliated with Harvard."

Harvard was one of a number of schools Trump targeted for funding cuts as he demanded crackdowns on campus protesters and a change to diversity hiring policies. However, unlike Columbia University, which cut a deal with the administration, Harvard held firm, which prompted Trump to escalate its attacks.

Trump started by revoking billions of dollars worth of research grants and contracts with Harvard. He then moved to revoke the school's tax-exempt status, and his Department of Homeland Security cut off the school's ability to accept international students.

Harvard has responded with legal firepower, bringing lawsuits against the administration, and a federal judge has currently blocked the international student restriction.