Trump Vows to Eliminate 'Marxist Influence' of Accreditors on Campuses: Why Accreditation Remains a Battleground in U.S. Higher Education
Sanjay Sharma | 12 November 2024 | The Times of India
In a bold statement on Tuesday, US President-elect Donald Trump declared it is time to "reclaim America's educational institutions from the radical Left," signalling his commitment to reshaping the country's educational landscape. Trump announced that his administration, set to take office on January 20, will dismiss the current accreditation bodies, which he accuses of allowing colleges to be taken over by "Marxists, maniacs and lunatics." He outlined a new vision focused on patriotism, affordability, and the eradication of what he calls "Marxist diversity, equity and inclusion bureaucrats."
Trump's remarks, shared widely on social media by prominent figures including SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, cast a stark spotlight on the ideological divide within higher education. In his proposed reform, Trump aims to install accreditors that will ensure American colleges and universities defend "American traditions in Western civilisation," uphold free speech, and prioritise career-readiness and cost- effective degrees….