Radio Atlantic
Why Trump Wants to Control Universities
Apr 3, 2025
Adam Harris, a senior fellow at New America, shares insights on how the Trump administration's policies mirror tactics seen in Hungary under Viktor Orbán. He discusses the rising trend of conservative activists aiming to reshape universities, illustrating how attacks on diversity and academic autonomy are reshaping the educational landscape. Harris also explores the emergence of a conservative elite, highlighting institutions like Hillsdale College as models of patriotic education, and reflects on the implications for democracy in the U.S.
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Quick takeaways
- Recent governmental actions against universities reveal a strategy to impose conservative ideologies and reshape academic environments, threatening funding and academic freedom.
- The ideological shift in higher education reflects a broader conservative agenda to cultivate a new elite and reclaim traditional cultural values from a perceived decline.
Deep dives
Targeting Universities for Political Objectives
Recent actions against universities reflect a broader political strategy to reshape educational institutions in line with conservative values. High-profile cases include the arrest of Rumeisa Ozturk at Tufts University following the revocation of her student visa, and Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia, whose activism led to similar consequences. These incidents showcase a governmental approach that links funding to compliance with specific ideological demands, including adherence to traditional women’s sports and restrictions around DEI initiatives. Such repercussions have not only impacted individual students but have also created a chilling effect across numerous institutions facing potential funding cuts.
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