Donald Trump is back at it again, and this time, he’s putting higher education on the chopping block. The former president has issued an ultimatum: universities and colleges across the country have two weeks to eliminate diversity initiatives—or risk losing federal funding. This aggressive move is yet another escalation in Trump’s ongoing fight against what he calls “woke” policies in education.
In a bold and highly controversial memo from the U.S. Department of Education, schools were told to strip away policies that consider race in admissions, hiring, scholarships, and student organizations. The demand, framed as an effort to eliminate racial discrimination, has left educators scrambling to understand the full scope of its impact.
Trump’s administration argues that race-based considerations unfairly disadvantage white and Asian students, while many educators insist these policies are necessary to promote inclusion and equity.
What This Means for Schools and Students
With only 14 days to comply, universities are facing a high-stakes dilemma:
Comply and erase long-standing diversity programs.
Resist and potentially lose millions in federal aid.
Many schools have already built their admissions and hiring processes around affirmative action and other diversity-based policies. Scrapping these programs overnight isn’t just unrealistic—it could fundamentally change the landscape of education in America.
According to Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights:
“Schools have been operating on the pretext that selecting students for ‘diversity’ or similar euphemisms is not selecting them based on race. No longer. Students should be assessed according to merit, accomplishment, and character.”
Trainor’s statement makes it clear—this is about removing any race-based considerations in education. But many advocates argue that diversity initiatives aren’t about exclusion; they’re about leveling the playing field for historically marginalized students.
Universities Are Fighting Back
While some institutions are expected to comply to keep their funding, others are gearing up for legal battles. Civil rights organizations and higher education leaders are already pushing back, calling this mandate unconstitutional.
Harvard University, the University of California system, and Howard University have all expressed concern over the legality of these demands. Many believe the policy violates past Supreme Court rulings that allow race-conscious admissions under specific guidelines.
According to David Stout, a civil rights attorney:
“This is a blatant attack on diversity efforts that have been in place for decades. There will be lawsuits. And based on precedent, Trump’s plan will likely face major legal challenges.”
It’s a legal and political firestorm waiting to unfold.
How Will This Affect Black and Minority Students?
This policy has major implications for Black, Latino, and Indigenous students, who have historically benefited from diversity initiatives that help them access higher education. Many scholarships, mentorship programs, and hiring opportunities could disappear overnight.
Without these programs, advocates argue that:
Enrollment for minority students could drop significantly.
Campus diversity could shrink, creating less inclusive environments.
Students of color may face greater economic barriers to education.
Some institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), might be exempt from certain funding cuts, but the bigger question is: Will this decision set a dangerous precedent for erasing racial equity efforts across the board?
