What Happened When Trump Altered the Deal With Law Firms and Universities — from nytimes.com by Amanda Taub; this is a gifted article
Does the prisoner’s dilemma still apply when the rules break down?
A few weeks ago, several prominent American universities and law firms found themselves in what seemed to be a classic prisoner’s dilemma, courtesy of President Trump.
His campaign of retribution against law firms that represented or hired his political opponents, and against universities that engaged in “woke” policies or purportedly fostered antisemitism, was forcing them to make an unappealing choice.
Those who capitulated and struck an early deal with the White House, it seemed, might be spared the worst of Mr. Trump’s wrath, but at the cost of jeopardizing their independence. Standing up to the president risked even harsher punishment, particularly if other institutions stayed silent.
Columbia University made a deal with the administration. So did some of the largest law firms in the country. Recent changes, however, suggest that the dilemma is starting to look very different.
In the real world, however, instead of rewarding those who capitulated early, the Trump administration pressured them even more.
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“Capitulation has a track record,” said Ms. Saunders, “and it’s not pretty.”