President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders directing stricter oversight of American universities and the organisations that accredit them, intensifying his campaign to dismantle diversity initiatives and what he calls “wokeness” in education.
The orders, signed on Wednesday, push for tougher enforcement of existing laws requiring universities to disclose financial links with foreign entities.
Another move aims to overhaul the accrediting agencies responsible for determining whether colleges can receive federal student aid.
Trump’s directives also target equity policies in K-12 schools.
He ordered the Education Department to identify and reverse measures aimed at ensuring racial equity in school discipline, which the administration claims discriminates against non-minority students.
These changes reflect Trump’s broader agenda to reshape education policy by rolling back diversity efforts and increasing scrutiny of liberal academic institutions.
The focus on foreign influence in universities reignited last week amid heightened tensions between the White House and Harvard University.
Republicans have long raised concerns about financial ties between U.S. colleges and nations such as China.
