Trump Administration Intensifies Pressure on US Universities Amidst Protest Crackdown, DEI Investigations

US universities are reportedly facing significant uncertainty regarding their future operations and autonomy, according to a broadcast by the PBS News Hour on March 14, 2025. The report highlighted escalating actions taken by the Trump administration targeting institutions of higher education across the country, focusing on both responses to campus protests and broader policy initiatives related to diversity and inclusion.

Federal Actions Target Campus Protests

A key focus of the administration’s actions appears to be the handling of student protests, particularly those related to pro-Palestinian advocacy. The PBS News Hour segment included a report on the government’s increasing crackdown on college campuses, citing specific incidents that illustrate the intensified federal scrutiny.

Among these incidents was the public release of cell phone footage depicting the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University. According to the report, the government is actively seeking to deport Mr. Khalil for his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. This action signals a willingness by federal authorities to use immigration status as a means to address protest activities on campus.

Further illustrating the administration’s focus on Columbia University, federal officials announced additional measures related to recent protests there. These actions included the arrest of a Palestinian woman, who was reportedly taken into custody for allegedly overstaying her student visa. Separately, the visa of an Indian doctoral student was revoked. This student was accused by officials of advocating for violence and terrorism, linking visa status directly to alleged speech deemed unacceptable by the administration.

These targeted actions against individuals involved in campus protests or associated with institutions experiencing significant activism underscore a shift towards more direct federal intervention in campus affairs, potentially impacting international students and academic freedom.

Department of Education Launches Widespread Investigations

Adding another layer to the pressure on universities, the Department of Education (DOE) announced a significant expansion of its investigative activities. The DOE has launched new investigations into over 50 colleges nationwide.

The stated purpose of these wide-ranging investigations is to examine alleged racial discrimination within these institutions. While details of the specific allegations were not immediately available in the PBS News Hour report, the sheer scale of inquiries signals a broad governmental effort to scrutinize how universities handle issues of race and equity.

Broader Campaign Against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The DOE’s investigations appear to be part of a larger, concerted effort by President Trump’s administration. The report explicitly linked these actions to the President’s stated campaign aim to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across the country.

This campaign gained significant momentum following an administration memo issued just one month prior to the PBS News Hour report. That memo delivered a clear warning to educational institutions: they could risk losing vital federal funding if they continued to consider race in admissions processes, scholarship awards, or any other institutional program.

The combination of this direct fiscal threat and the launch of widespread discrimination investigations suggests a comprehensive strategy to compel universities to alter long-standing practices related to affirmative action and DEI initiatives. Critics argue such measures could undermine institutional autonomy and efforts to promote diverse student bodies and faculty.

Uncertain Futures for Higher Education

The confluence of federal actions — targeting individuals involved in protests, expanding immigration enforcement related to campus activities, and launching extensive investigations into racial discrimination tied to a broader anti-DEI agenda — has created an environment of significant uncertainty for universities. Institutions are grappling with how to navigate federal pressure while upholding principles of academic freedom, free expression, and institutional values regarding diversity and inclusion.

As the Trump administration continues to pursue these policies, the relationship between the federal government and institutions of higher learning is undergoing a profound shift, potentially reshaping the landscape of American universities for years to come.