Source: Anadolu / GettySince assuming the presidency in January, President Trump has rapidly implemented strategies utilizing federal funds to coerce educational institutions into discontinuing their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Recently, Brown University made headlines by securing a substantial $50 million in previously frozen federal research grants, marking a significant shift as it became the latest institution to abandon its DEI programs.
As reported by CNN, the Trump administration agreed to reinstate research grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, cease an ongoing investigation into the university, and enable Brown to qualify for future federal funding. In exchange for this arrangement, Brown committed to disbursing $50 million in grants to Rhode Island-based workforce development programs, adopting the Trump administration’s definitions of “male” and “female,” and refraining from any unlawful racial discrimination in its admissions procedures or university programming.
However, the term “unlawful racial discrimination” in this context specifically targets the continuation of initiatives that support DEI. Brown also agreed to submit data to the federal government to demonstrate compliance, ensuring they are not engaging in race-based admissions. Furthermore, the university committed to enhancing the campus environment for Jewish students, which may imply suppressing any criticism of Israel.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon lauded the agreement, describing it as a pivotal step towards reversing the prolonged woke influence that has permeated our nation’s higher education institutions. Interestingly, I found McMahon’s previous endeavors in the wrestling industry far more admirable than her current role, which seems focused on dismantling decades of progress within the American education system.
President Trump celebrated this development through a post on Truth Social, stating, “Congratulations to Brown University on the settlement made with the United States Government. There will be no more Anti-Semitism, or Anti-Christian, or Anti-Anything Else!” He further declared, “Woke is officially DEAD at Brown. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Reflecting on these developments, I find myself wishing Trump had remained in his previous career rather than consistently evoking a sense of embarrassment for being an American in today’s socio-political climate.
This recent agreement marks the second of its kind established by the Trump administration within just one week, following a similar settlement with Columbia University. In this arrangement, Columbia also consented to discontinue its DEI initiatives and to halt race-based admissions. Additionally, the university agreed to pay a hefty $200 million fine to the federal government and another $21 million to resolve an investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The tensions between Trump and Columbia escalated early in his presidency, sparked by criticisms of the pro-Palestine protests occurring on campus. In response to the backlash from the President, Columbia took decisive actions, including the cancellation of a course examining the implications of race in media and penalizing students involved in the protests.
The Trump administration has notably intensified its scrutiny of DEI initiatives at higher education institutions. Earlier this year, the Department of Education disseminated a “Dear Colleague” letter to various schools, warning them of potential federal funding losses if they continued their DEI initiatives. The Department of Education partnered with the Justice Department to launch the “Civil Rights Fraud Initiative,” specifically aimed at investigating compliance with the administration’s anti-DEI mandates.
The consequences of these policies have led to numerous individuals losing their positions, several educational institutions dismantling their DEI departments, and some even retreating from the longstanding tradition of affinity graduations.
Can you imagine a scenario where the federal government dedicated similar resources and attention to addressing the cost of living crisis instead of complicating the educational journeys of Black and brown students? It’s an intriguing thought that could lead to significant change.
SEE ALSO:
UVA President Resigns Over Trump’s Anti-DEI Investigation
UNC Asheville Dean Of Students Fired For Pro-DEI Comments
