Trump eyes repression of diversity at US universities
US President Donald Trump signed executive orders on April 23rd targeting US universities, amid his administration’s attempts to tackle diversity and inclusion, The Guardian reported.
The move targets foreign gifts to US universities, which directs the federal government to “enforce laws on the books” associated with the declaration of big donations and university accreditation, which Trump referred to as his tool to transform US universities.
Will Scharf, the White House staff secretary, said the intermediary groups that accredit universities rely on “woke ideology,” and not on credibility.
The Trump administration has recently cracked down on US universities, with the president claiming some are run by “Marxist maniacs and lunatics.”
The federal government has been looking to remove billions in financial support from universities should they not respect the Trump administration demands; prohibited diversity initiatives; and arrested foreign students due to their activism.
Previously, the US government launched a review of Harvard University’s federal funding over allegations of anti-Semitism on campus, Al Monitor via AFP reported on March 31st. This followed a similar decision that saw millions stripped from Columbia University amid pro-Palestinian protests.
The review put $9 billion of funding for the university under review. The move came as the administration intensified its crackdown on universities where student-led demonstrations have erupted over Israel’s war in Gaza.
President Donald Trump has taken an aggressive stance against Ivy League institutions, facing accusations of failing to protect Jewish students.
Critics argue the actions amount to political retaliation and pose a threat to free speech on campus. Supporters, however, claim the measures are necessary to combat anti-Semitism and restore order at universities.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Harvard had put its standing at risk by failing to safeguard Jewish students.
“Harvard’s failure to protect students on campus from anti-Semitic discrimination — all while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry — has put its reputation in serious jeopardy,” she said. “Harvard can right these wrongs and restore itself to a campus dedicated to academic excellence and truth-seeking, where all students feel safe on its campus.”
Harvard president Alan Garner warned that cutting federal funding would have far-reaching consequences.
“If this funding is stopped, it will halt life-saving research and imperil important scientific research and innovation,” he said in a statement. He denied that the university had neglected its responsibilities, adding that Harvard had “strengthened our rules and our approach to disciplining those who violate them” over the past 15 months to address concerns about anti-Semitism.
Trump’s administration has also took similar action against Columbia University, initially placing $400 million in funding under review. In response, Columbia introduced measures to redefine anti-Semitism, increase policing of campus demonstrations, and enhance oversight of specific academic departments.
While the administration welcomed these concessions, it signalled that further steps were expected. The official statement confirmed that Columbia had agreed to “comply with nine preconditions for further negotiations regarding a return of cancelled federal funds.”
The administration’s task force has warned that other universities could face similar scrutiny as it continues its review of federal funding linked to campuses where anti-Israel protests have intensified.
Al Monitor via AFP, The Guardian
