Trump Administration Cracks Down on American Universities

Strategic Insights -

The Trump administration has escalated its crackdown on American universities, with a state department cable instructing US embassies worldwide to stop scheduling visa interviews for foreign students. This move is part of a broader effort to implement comprehensive social media screening for all international applicants and follows the president's attack on Harvard University after pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations last year. Trump has repeatedly criticized top American universities, describing them as havens for "Marxist maniacs and lunatics," and has even mused about redirecting their federal funding to trade schools.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration has ordered US embassies worldwide to stop scheduling visa interviews for foreign students, which could severely delay visa processing and hurt universities that rely heavily on foreign students for revenue.
  • The directive is part of a broader effort to implement comprehensive social media screening for all international applicants.
  • The Trump administration is set to order federal agencies to cancel all government contracts with Harvard University worth an estimated $100m, dramatically escalating the president's assault against America's most prestigious university.
  • RFK Jr, the US health secretary, announced that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would remove Covid-19 booster shots from its recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
  • Trump warned Vladimir Putin that he is "playing with fire" over stalled Ukraine peace efforts.
  • National Public Radio has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging an executive order that cuts federal funding to the public broadcaster as an unconstitutional attack on press freedom.
  • Trump's media company announced that institutional investors will buy $2.5bn worth of its stock, with the proceeds going to build up a bitcoin reserve.
  • Trump is set to pardon reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, the couple famous for Chrisley Knows Best.

Statistics:

  • The directive could severely delay visa processing, which is crucial for many universities and their international students.
  • The Trump administration is estimating that the cuts in federal funding to Harvard University could be worth up to $100m.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will remove Covid-19 booster shots from its recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
  • National Public Radio has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging an executive order that cuts federal funding to the public broadcaster as an unconstitutional attack on press freedom.
  • Trump's media company is planning to buy $2.5bn worth of its stock, with the proceeds going to build up a bitcoin reserve.

Sources:

  • "Trump orders US embassies to stop student visa interviews" (Politico)
  • "Trump orders agencies to cut all federal ties with Harvard" (The Guardian)
  • "RFK Jr drops Covid boosters for some groups" (The Guardian)
  • "Trump warns Putin he is 'playing with fire'" (The Guardian)
  • "NPR sues Trump administration over funding cuts" (The Guardian)
  • "Trump's company to spend $2.5bn on bitcoin" (The Guardian)
  • "Trump to pardon reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley" (The Guardian)