President Donald Trump’s administration has intensified oversight of U.S. colleges and the accrediting bodies that monitor them as part of his broader campaign against what he terms “wokeness” and diversity initiatives in education.
Through a series of executive actions signed on Wednesday, President Trump specifically targeted universities he considers to oppose his political objectives. One executive order mandates stricter enforcement of a federal requirement for colleges to report financial relationships with foreign entities. Another order aims to reform the accrediting bodies that determine a college’s eligibility to receive federal financial aid for students.
Additionally, Trump directed the Education Department to remove initiatives promoting equity in school discipline across the nation’s K-12 system. Prior guidance urged schools not to discipline minority students disproportionately, yet the current administration argues that equity measures constitute racial discrimination.
Concerns about colleges’ financial connections with foreign sources, especially with nations like China, have been longstanding among Republicans. This issue resurfaced recently as the administration seized on it to gain leverage in its ongoing dispute with Harvard University. The White House has accused Harvard and other institutions of consistently violating a federal disclosure law concerning foreign gifts and contracts.
Last week, the Education Department requested financial records from Harvard regarding its foreign ties over the past decade, claiming the university submitted “incomplete and inaccurate disclosures.” The administration is in a standoff with Harvard over its stance on pro-Palestinian protests and its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
In an executive order, Trump directed the Education Department and the Attorney General to enhance enforcement of the law and take punitive action against noncompliant colleges, which could include suspensions of federal funding. The administration aims to eliminate secrecy surrounding foreign funds in American educational institutions to prevent exploitation by foreign entities.
Republicans, including Representative Tim Walberg of Michigan, have applauded these measures, accusing countries like China of leveraging academic connections to steal research and influence students.
Another executive order targets accrediting bodies by proposing an overhaul, part of Trump’s campaign promise, describing the current accrediting landscape as dominated by “Marxist maniacs and lunatics.” While considered an obscure aspect of college oversight, accrediting organizations play a vital role in setting academic standards.
Trump’s order initiates efforts to remove DEI requirements imposed by accrediting bodies on colleges, urging a focus on student outcomes instead. The administration also seeks to facilitate competition among new accrediting bodies by simplifying the recognition process, aiming to make it more transparent and less burdensome.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that accreditors should concentrate on enhancing schools’ graduation rates and graduates’ labor market performance rather than promoting divisive DEI ideologies.
Further, the administration launched measures opposing equity in school discipline through an executive order promoting “common sense school discipline.” This order calls for decisions based solely on student behavior without considering disparate impact theories, which have previously challenged policies affecting minority groups disproportionately.
Historically, Black students have faced harsher disciplinary actions that remove them from classrooms, a trend targeted by reform movements advocating for restorative justice practices. Though Trump’s first administration rescinded previous guidance aimed at reducing racial disparities in school discipline, civil rights regulations still necessitate data collection on such discipline practices.
On Wednesday, Trump instructed McMahon to develop new school discipline guidelines within 60 days. The order also mandates reviewing nonprofit organizations that support equity-based discipline policies to ensure they do not receive federal funding.
Additionally, an order was signed to establish a federal task force on artificial intelligence training for students, beginning in kindergarten, and to develop new online learning resources.
Lastly, Trump is creating a White House initiative to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities, focusing on fostering private-sector partnerships and enhancing workforce preparation in fields like technology and finance.
