This article is the fourth in a series examining the attacks on US higher education. Links to the previous three articles are posted at the end of this essay published 12 May 2025 in Windy City Times. The middle two essays were written collaboratively with my Loyola University Chicago colleague Arthur Lurigio.
President Donald J. Trump is using the full force of the federal government to launch a bewildering barrage of legal attacks and funding suspensions on American institutions of higher education. The list of universities and colleges under attack grows daily. Some universities are fighting back to protect and affirm their historic independence from government control of governance and curricula. Most are silent because of fear of losing their vital federal funds for research and for student support.
In the midst of this blizzard of assaults, it is difficult to discern the controlling objectives of this total war on higher education.
On the surface, the Trump administration cites the failure of universities to counter antisemitism, the discriminatory effects of the federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [DEI] policies of previous administrations, and the “negative” influence of LGBTQ+ theories and agenda.
Apart from the Trump administration’s general objective to cut the size, agencies, and budget of the federal government, there seems to be a concerted effort to eliminate the current framework and operating structures of American higher education with a new working model based, in part, on the thinking of Christopher F. Rufo .
Because Trump’s war on higher education is an existential threat to some institutions as well as a threat to the basic educational mission of American college and university systems, it is important to remember how the partnership between government and higher education developed and what it has accomplished.
The Productive Partnership of the US Federal Government and American Higher Education
The relationship between the US federal government and American higher education has been one of the most consequential and enduring partnerships in modern history. Over the past century, this collaboration has fostered innovation, expanded access to knowledge, and reinforced the nation’s global leadership in science, technology, and democratic governance. Although the relationship has seen moments of tension, its long-term trajectory reflects a deeply productive alliance that has shaped the intellectual, economic, and civic foundations of the United States.
Historical Foundations: From the Morrill Act to the GI Bill
The roots of federal involvement in higher education trace back to the 19th century, when the Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862 and 1890 established a system of public universities across the country. By granting federal land to states to fund colleges focused on agriculture and the mechanical arts, the federal government enabled the democratization of higher learning and the growth of institutions that served both regional and national interests.
This partnership was dramatically strengthened in the 20th century. Following World War II, the federal government passed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the GI Bill. This legislation provided millions of returning veterans with tuition assistance and living stipends to attend college. The results were transformative: college enrollment surged, the middle class expanded, and the labor force became more educated and competitive. The GI Bill is widely recognized as one of the most successful federal investments in human capital in American history.
Research and Innovation: The Rise of the Knowledge Economy
Perhaps the most powerful dimension of the partnership has been the federal government’s investment in university-based research. During and after World War II, the government recognized the strategic importance of scientific advancement. The establishment of agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1950 and the expansion of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) ushered in an era of robust federal support for basic and applied research.
Federal funding helped establish American universities as global leaders in research. Discoveries in physics, medicine, engineering, and computer science were often born in federally funded university laboratories. Landmark achievements such as the development of the internet and the mapping of the human genome highlight the vital role of government-university collaboration in advancing knowledge and driving innovation.
This partnership yielded technological breakthroughs creating a research-based ecosystem that attracted international talent, incubated new industries, and spurred regional economic development. The research university became both a center of learning and a catalyst for innovation that benefited US economy and society.
Education and Access: Federal Student Aid and Civil Rights
Another pillar of the productive partnership lies in the federal government’s role in expanding access to higher education. The creation of federal student aid programs—most notably Pell Grants and federally backed student loans—opened college doors to millions of students who might otherwise have been excluded due to financial hardship. These programs, administered through the Department of Education which Trump plans to dismantle, reflect a national commitment to the principle that higher education should be accessible to all capable students, regardless of socioeconomic background.
Beyond financial aid, federal legislation has been instrumental in promoting equity and inclusion. Landmark laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race and sex, respectively, in educational institutions receiving federal funding.
Furthermore, federal initiatives such as the TRIO programs and the Higher Education Act of 1965 have supported first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and students from historically underrepresented communities. These policies underscore the federal government’s broader role in not only funding but also shaping the moral and civic mission of American higher education.
Trump’s federal budget for 2026 eliminates entirely all TRIO programs.
If there is any rhyme or reason to Trump’s war on American higher education, it is provided by Christopher Rufo.
A New Conservative Blueprint for Academia: Taking Back and Controlling the Cultural Narratives that Shape the Nation
Christopher Rufo has emerged as the chief architect of a bold strategy to transform American higher education. Frustrated by what he sees as left-wing dominance in universities, Rufo has launched a multifaceted campaign to realign the system. His approach blends institutional takeovers, legislative interventions, media campaigns, and the creation of alternative educational structures.
At the heart of Rufo’s strategy is the recognition that a nation is shaped and dominated by controlling the basic cultural narratives which are transmitted primarily by institutions. To establish American higher education on a new foundation, Rufo advocates for conservatives to take control of the boards that govern colleges and universities, to pass legislation that defunds and punishes educational institutions that do not comply with Trump administration regulations and policies, to flood media with timely articles and posts advancing the conservative agenda.
Ironically, conservatives learned this strategy from the works of the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci.
The New College of Florida: A Test Case
Rufo’s most prominent experiment began in 2023 at New College of Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him to the Board of Trustees. Rufo quickly set out to reshape the college, previously known for its progressive values. The president was ousted, DEI programs were dismantled, and a new curriculum emphasizing traditional values of Western Civilization was introduced. One of the primary objectives of this new curriculum – based on a very narrow understanding of the Western canon — was to foster “civics nationalism” which would constitute the new framework for American higher education.
Legislating Reform: Codifying the Culture War
Rufo’s influence extends beyond individual campuses. Partnering with Republican lawmakers, he has helped draft legislation aimed at eliminating DEI bureaucracies, banning mandatory diversity statements in hiring, and mandating instruction in civic literacy that promotes Western values and culture. By embedding these reforms into law, Rufo hopes to insulate them from future political reversals and reshape the foundational priorities of public universities.
Targeting Gender Studies and LGBTQ+ Programs
A central pillar of Rufo’s agenda is his opposition to gender studies and queer theory, which he portrays as ideological activism masquerading as scholarship. He argues these programs undermine traditional values and contribute to “cultural subversion.” Legislative measures aligned with Rufo’s vision often target funding for LGBTQ+-related initiatives, framing them as incompatible with neutral academic inquiry.
Media as a Weapon
Rufo regularly publicizes controversial university programs, leaks internal documents, and amplifies stories through social media and conservative outlets. His goal is to galvanize public opinion, pressure institutions, and build support for his reforms. By shaping narratives, Rufo turns cultural grievances into political momentum. His long-term goal is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for conservative education, attracting students, faculty, and donors disillusioned with the status quo.
The Debate Over Academic Freedom
Critics argue Rufo’s tactics constitute political interference, threaten academic freedom, and risk replacing one ideological orthodoxy with another. They warn of long-term damage to university autonomy and intellectual diversity. Supporters counter that his reforms are necessary to restore meritocracy, free inquiry, and balance in an ideologically skewed system.
Many of Rufo’s supporters champion what they call Christian Nationalism as the new foundation for American cultural reconstruction.
A Transformational Moment
Regardless of one’s view, Rufo has shifted the conversation around higher education. By focusing on governance and structural reform, he has pioneered a new model of conservative activism. Traditionally, colleges and universities control what is taught, how it is taught, and who teaches. In the future, the mission and curricula of American higher education may be determined less by faculty and more by political actors challenging faculty governance.
Conclusion
The productive partnership between the US federal government and American higher education has been one of mutual benefit and national importance. Rooted in a shared belief in the power of knowledge, this alliance has fueled scientific discovery, expanded educational opportunity, and strengthened democratic society. While not without friction, it remains a model of how public investment can promote individual achievement and public good.
The Trump administration is jeopardizing, when it should be revitalizing, this partnership which has been essential to securing a prosperous, just, and informed future for all Americans.
2025 © nicholas.patricca@gmail.com
Nick Patricca is professor emeritus at Loyola University Chicago and member of PEN San Miguel Center, MX.
Published Windy City Times Media Group https://windycitytimes.com/2025/05/12/opinion-trumps-war-on-higher-education/
Previous articles on the war against US higher education
The war on the university: Attack on DEI the poisoned tip of the arrow March 5, 2025 “NEWS”
Destroying DEI: The attack on 60 years of progress April 3, 2025 “Views”
VIEWPOINT U.S. higher education under siege; freedom of inquiry and speech at risk July 3, 2023 “FEATURES”