President Trump signed an executive order targeting college accreditors, organizations that evaluate universities' educational quality and financial health. This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to shift the ideological landscape of higher education, which it views as leaning too far left.
Accreditation is crucial for colleges to receive approximately $120 billion in annual federal financial aid. Trump's order, according to the White House, will simplify the process for schools to change accreditors and for new accreditors to gain federal approval. Critics argue this will undermine the independence of universities.
Trump's move is seen as a response to what he and his administration perceive as excessive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within universities. He has previously voiced strong criticisms of accreditors, describing them as allowing colleges to be dominated by what he terms "Marxist maniacs and lunatics."
Experts like Bob Shireman, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, expressed concerns that Trump's actions will negatively impact institutional independence, potentially jeopardizing the global standing of American universities.
At least one major university, Harvard, is actively opposing the Trump administration's actions in court, highlighting the significant conflict between the administration and higher education institutions.