Implications of Trump’s win on higher education

Former U.S. president Donald Trump and other Republicans have stated their intention to target individual colleges’ accreditation status due to allegations of antisemitism and civil rights violations.

After a contentious and historic election, Donald J. Trump emerged victorious with enough electoral votes to secure his return to the White House in January. He is now set to become the second president in U.S. history to serve two nonconsecutive terms.

A second Trump administration is expected to increase scrutiny of colleges and universities and empower advocates pushing for significant reforms within the higher education sector. This comes at a time of significant instability in American higher education, with declining enrollments and growing public discontent over college costs. After a year marked by negative attention on campus protests and federal policy missteps related to student debt and financial aid, these potential changes could have far-reaching implications for higher education.

During Trump’s first term, higher education was not a primary focus, but his actions then may offer some insights into his policy agenda for the next four years. His administration relaxed oversight of for-profit colleges, implemented new Title IX rules to enhance due process protections for those accused of assault, and appointed a conservative majority to the U.S. Supreme Court, potentially impacting affirmative action policies.

While higher education was not a central theme of Trump’s 2024 campaign, political debates concerning the sector have intensified in recent years. Issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as campus protests, have become increasingly prominent in the Republican Party’s national messaging. Trump has frequently criticized American universities, claiming they are dominated by “Marxist maniacs” and vowing to address what he perceives as left-wing ideological biases threatening free speech.

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Trump’s selection of Ohio senator JD Vance as his running mate signaled a shift towards more conservative views on higher education. Vance has been a vocal critic of academia, describing professors as “the enemy” and advocating for a broad interpretation of the affirmative action ban. He has also supported increasing the college endowment excise tax and has proposed aggressive measures against universities.

The potential policies of a new Trump administration could include reshaping the college accreditation process to address ideological biases, cracking down on pro-Palestinian speech, deporting international student protesters, and banning transgender athletes from participating in college sports. Trump may also reverse some of President Joe Biden’s higher education policies, such as civil rights protections for transgender students and income-driven student loan repayment plans.

While some of these proposals may face practical and legislative challenges, a second Trump term is likely to heighten concerns about the value of postsecondary education, ignite public outrage over campus culture issues, and embolden lawmakers seeking to reduce higher education funding or restrict diversity and race-conscious programs.

One significant uncertainty surrounding a potential second Trump term is the future of the Education Department. Given former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s resignation and public criticism of Trump following the Capitol riot on January 6, it is unlikely she will return. Trump’s strong rhetoric on education has led some experts to speculate that he may appoint a more far-right figure to the position, such as Christopher Rufo or a similar conservative ally.

Trump has also called for the dissolution of the Education Department, advocating for a return of education authority to the states. Project 2025, a far-right plan for restructuring American governance linked to the Trump campaign, outlines a detailed strategy for dismantling the department, though many believe it would be challenging to implement such a proposal.

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Current Education Department employees may need to adjust their expectations for the future, as potential changes could have far-reaching effects. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressed disappointment over recent events, emphasizing the missed opportunities for progress if the election had turned out differently.