Trump's Actions Target Universities and Implement Trade Tariffs

On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the Rose Garden of the White House, imposing tariffs on imported goods. This event was part of a trade announcement framed under the slogan "Make America Wealthy Again."

This action followed a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that deemed affirmative action based on race in university admissions unlawful. However, the court did allow universities to consider statements about candidates' racial experiences. Trump's administration has expressed concerns about the practical application of these guidelines, citing a lack of data and the use of "diversity statements" as potential proxies for race.

Since returning to office, Trump has focused on US universities, accusing them of harboring anti-conservative views, anti-Semitism, and "wokery." He has also taken executive actions to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the government, arguing that these policies discriminate against white people. Trump has emphasized the need for greater transparency to expose and eliminate what he views as harmful racial hierarchies.

The executive order mandates that universities enhance their reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics to improve transparency in admissions. Details regarding these enhanced requirements were to be released later. Trump has also used federal funding as leverage, demanding curriculum, enrollment, and other changes from universities he considers too liberal.

As part of broader budget cuts, the administration has reduced or frozen funding for university research. Columbia University was the first to be targeted, facing accusations of failing to address anti-Semitism on campus. The university lost significant federal funding and its ability to apply for new research grants, leading to layoffs. Columbia later agreed to pay the government $200 million and an additional $21 million to settle an investigation into anti-Semitism. Columbia, along with Brown, reportedly agreed to disclose admissions data, including race and test scores, as part of their settlements with the administration.