Trump signs orders cracking down on diversity and inclusion at US universities

theguardian.comPublished: 4/24/2025

Summary

Donald Trump's executive orders aim to transform U.S. higher education by narrowing its focus on diversity and inclusion, leading to significant funding cuts and scrutiny of accrediting bodies that prioritize "woke" ideologies over merit. Over 150 universities have condemned these actions as overreach, with Harvard even suing the government. Additionally, Trump has announced plans to support historically black colleges and universities to ensure a skilled workforce in AI, though he previously criticized their initiatives. These measures reflect a blend of strict regulatory actions against perceived threats to education while acknowledging the need for innovation in underrepresented fields.