Harvard Law professor Randall Kennedy delivered a forceful warning about what he called rising threats to academic institutions from federal pressure, legal entanglements and backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Kennedy argued that legal victories alone may not shield universities from political and reputational harms tied to high‑profile cases. His comments frame a pressing governance challenge: universities must balance legal defense, campus community needs and public accountability while navigating intensifying political scrutiny. Kennedy’s perspective underscores sharper legal and cultural headwinds that trustees, deans and general counsels will confront in 2026.