(UnitedVoice.com) – The Republican Party has long spoken out about the liberal ideologies that have taken hold on college campuses. They are particularly concerned about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. To combat the problem, some states have taken aim at universities that accept public funding. Former President Donald Trump made a promise at a recent 2024 campaign event.
On May 2, Trump’s team released a video outlining his Agenda47 policy for colleges. A press release from his campaign said he intends to “reclaim” the schools “from the radical Left and Marxist maniacs.” The former president vowed to protect students by imposing higher education standards and holding institutions accountable.
Trump said college tuition is “exploding” while “academics have been obsessed with indoctrinating America’s youth.” To stop it, the former POTUS plans to mandate all universities teach a curriculum that defends “American tradition and Western civilization,” removes DEI officials, eliminates “wasteful administrative positions” that cause the college to cost more, and provides job placement and low-cost degrees. He also wants to implement entrance and exit exams. If a school racially discriminates against students, Trump wants to fine them “up to the entire amount of their endowment.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the conservative many believe will challenge Trump for the GOP nomination, has also taken aim at DEI programs. On May 4, GOP lawmakers passed Senate Bill 266 to prohibit public colleges and universities from spending federal or state funding on DEI programs. The governor is expected to sign the bill.
DeSantis signed a similar bill into law in 2022 called the Stop-WOKE Act. But Chief US District Judge Mark Walker stopped the law from going into effect, calling it “positively dystopian” and a violation of the First Amendment. The state is appealing the ruling. DeSantis has long been a champion for anti-woke policies in the Sunshine State. It seems Trump is now on that train as well.
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