As President-elect Donald Trump and his administration embark on office, education advocates are bracing for significant changes. Trump has hinted that he may dismantle the Department of Education, and Vice President-elect JD Vance has referred to universities as “hostile institutions.” These statements signal what some believe to be an aggressive campaign to reshape American education, with higher education probably being the most scrutinised.

A Target on Universities

Meanwhile, Trump’s incoming administration has already hinted at dramatic changes for universities. Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive with no background in education, is rumoured to take up the post of Education Secretary. This raises questions about the direction federal education policy might take.

Trump has publicly criticised institutions of higher education for teaching what he calls “inappropriate racial, sexual or political content,” threatening to pull federal funding and accreditation from institutions that promote topics such as critical race theory and diversity policies. He has also committed to removing political biases from education, though his critics argue these steps aim to enforce a conservative agenda.

An Attack on Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in higher education are among the first proposals to be eliminated by the new administration. For those who support Trump, these programs represent a “woke” campaign that discriminates against whites and promotes progressive policies. Suggested actions include abolishing DEI offices, eliminating diversity officers, and reversing policies involving equal access and inclusion.

Trump’s priority isn’t to reform higher education, but to dismantle what he sees as a broken system,” Lynn Pasquerella, President of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, said. “He is going to eliminate the tradition of academic freedom in the U.S. Administration will impose on students a curriculum that reflects conservative views.” Federal Influence Over Higher Education

However, a total Department of Education shutdown requires Congressional approval. Still, through various other means of administrative influence, Trump can curtail higher education. He has already threatened to introduce new, tougher entrance and exit exams. He will also challenge accrediting bodies, particularly on aspects of higher education such as deregulation. Critics view these measures as a set of activities aimed at conquering the universities’ freedom in various realms: employee hiring, student selection, and course curriculum development.

Isaac Kamola, a political science professor who teaches about conservative movements in education, described two very different narratives within the Trump administration: “They say they want less federal involvement in state education, yet also want to punish institutions that don’t adhere to their policies.”

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The Broader Conservative Bid for Higher Education Overhaul

Trump’s expected move is part of the long-standing plan of a conservative effort to reform U.S. education. Many Republican-led states, including Texas, Florida, and Alabama, have already implemented policies targeting diversity initiatives, with analysts who believe they might set an example for the incoming administration.

In 2020, for instance, the courts blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order designed to combat “race and sex stereotyping,” only to have President Joe Biden rescind it. But at the state level, corresponding measures have taken hold: limiting classroom discussions about race and gender, for example, in legislation signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, which prohibits public universities from allocating federal and state funds for DEI programs, part of a nationwide conservative response.

Universities Brace for a Tough Road Ahead

As the political landscape shifts, universities are preparing for potential challenges to their autonomy. John Aubrey Douglass, a senior research fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, warned that the education sector might face “a potential tsunami” of new policies under Trump’s administration. He emphasised that universities need to be ready for a redefinition of federal influence over education, potentially curtailing academic freedoms.

Some states, like California, are already “lawyering up” to counter anticipated federal overreach. Advocates warn, however, that dismantling DEI initiatives would have an indirect impact on student support programs concerning diversity policies. Many students who transfer from community college depend on DEI initiatives. When the resources disappear, it will be painful, especially for underrepresented groups.

Protection of Academic Freedom

Despite these looming threats, advocates such as Leah Watson of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) encourage institutions to remain firm. “It’s important for institutions to maintain academic freedom,” Watson said, citing the right to learn and to teach without government interference as a cornerstone of American higher education.

There is uncertainty about how quickly the incoming administration will prioritise education changes amid a broader agenda that includes immigration reforms. Education advocates hope that if Trump’s team struggles with internal dysfunction, it may delay or complicate efforts to overhaul higher education.

Still, this is a daunting worry: the long-term implications of conservative efforts to reshape what and how universities teach. At that point, American higher education will enter a period of uncertainty under new stewardship with potential consequences for academic integrity and institutional autonomy.