Todd L. Pittinsky’s essay, “Harvard teaches resistance, not leadership” [Opinion, April 23], lauds Harvard University for defying federal pressure while urging the university to correct its ideological imbalance. But his argument falls short by applying this standard only to liberal institutions.

If we expect Harvard to diversify its intellectual outlook, why not apply the same expectation to conservative or Christian schools like Liberty University, Hillsdale College, or Brigham Young University? These institutions also reflect strong ideological frameworks — just from the opposite side. Yet calls for “balance” and ideological reform are rarely directed at them.

Academic freedom is a constitutional right, not a partisan privilege. If federal overreach is unacceptable at Harvard, it is equally unacceptable at schools that operate under religious or conservative missions. And if nonprofit institutions must avoid ideological conformity, then that standard must apply across the board.

We can’t claim to champion fairness while selectively criticizing only those we disagree with. True intellectual diversity — and legal consistency — demand we defend the freedoms of both Harvard and Hillsdale.

It is no surprise that President Donald Trump and his Republican Party are OK with abandoning our help for Ukraine [“Trump lashes out at Zelenskyy,” Nation & World, April 24].

Why shouldn’t Russian President Vladimir Putin invade and take over Ukraine if our own president has talked about taking over Greenland and Canada?

Authoritarians understand each other very well.

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