President Trump issued an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of promoting “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” and demanding the removal of materials deemed historically inaccurate. Historians widely condemned this action as an attempt to whitewash American history and suppress discussions of race and social justice. The order specifically cites exhibits on race and gender, as well as planned programming, as examples of problematic content. This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to control the narrative of American history and suppress diverse perspectives.
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New York University canceled Dr. Joanne Liu’s presentation on humanitarian crises due to concerns that slides mentioning casualties in Gaza and USAID budget cuts could be interpreted as antisemitic and anti-governmental, respectively. Despite offering to revise the slides, the university ultimately canceled the event, leaving Dr. Liu stunned. NYU cited its speaker guidelines as justification, offering compensation for travel and time. This incident highlights a perceived “climate of fear” within US universities, leading to self-censorship to avoid potential political repercussions and funding cuts.
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A University of Minnesota graduate business student was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without prior notice to the university. State and local officials, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Governor Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, are demanding answers from federal authorities regarding the student’s detention. The university is providing legal aid and support to the student, whose name and nationality remain undisclosed. The detention is viewed by some as part of a broader crackdown on international students, prompting protests and raising concerns about due process violations.
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Yale professor Jason Stanley, author of *How Fascism Works*, is leaving the US for the University of Toronto due to concerns about the current political climate and its potential for authoritarianism. His decision was partly influenced by Columbia University’s capitulation to federal demands, which he views as a dangerous precedent for academic freedom. Stanley believes the current environment poses an unacceptable risk to higher education and the future of democracy, prompting his move to Canada. He sees this not as fleeing, but as joining the international fight against rising authoritarianism.
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The Trump administration is scrutinizing Australian scientific collaborations, sending questionnaires to over a dozen universities and the CSIRO, querying funding sources, project alignment with US interests (including stances on gender and climate change), and national security concerns. This follows US funding cuts to several Australian universities, impacting approximately $600 million in annual research funding. The Australian government, while acknowledging the situation’s severity and the potential impact on crucial joint research projects, is currently awaiting further clarification from the US, stating that directly replacing US funding is impractical. Concerns are growing regarding the long-term implications for Australia’s strategic research and development capabilities.
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A French space researcher was denied entry into the United States on March 9th after US authorities discovered what they claim was confidential information from Los Alamos National Laboratory on his phone. France alleges the researcher’s denial was due to critical messages about the Trump administration found on his phone, a claim the US Department of Homeland Security denies. The US asserts the researcher violated a non-disclosure agreement, while France maintains the incident jeopardizes academic freedom. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between the US and other nations regarding immigration policies and free speech.
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A French scientist was denied entry into the U.S. after immigration officers discovered messages critical of the Trump administration on his phone. The scientist, employed by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), was reportedly accused of “hateful and conspiratorial messages” and a potential FBI investigation, though charges were later dropped. The incident prompted France’s Minister of Higher Education and Research to publicly defend academic freedom and criticize recent cuts to scientific research in the U.S. US Customs and Border Protection stated that all arriving persons are subject to inspection and that such searches are standard procedure.
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Facing political pressures and funding cuts in the United States, the Netherlands is establishing a fund to attract leading international scientists, aiming to become a refuge for researchers seeking academic freedom. This initiative, driven by concerns over increasing censorship and political interference in American science, follows similar efforts by France. While the exact funding amount is still pending, Dutch universities and research organizations are actively exploring ways to recruit these scientists, viewing it as a means to bolster Dutch innovation and support threatened American academics. However, potential conflicts with existing Dutch government policies on higher education budgets and immigration remain.
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A French researcher, employed by the CNRS, was denied entry to the United States and subsequently deported. American authorities cited messages on his phone expressing opinions critical of the Trump administration’s research policies as the reason for denial, classifying the opinions as “hateful” and even “terrorism.” The French government, while acknowledging US sovereignty over entry, deplores the incident, emphasizing the importance of freedom of opinion and academic freedom. Following an FBI investigation, charges were dropped.
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Brown University medical professor Rasha Alawieh was deported to Lebanon despite possessing a valid US work visa and a judge’s order preventing her removal. The government cited “sympathetic photos and videos” related to Hezbollah and attendance at a Hezbollah leader’s funeral as justification. This deportation, alongside the deportation of over 250 immigrants to El Salvador, occurred despite judicial orders halting the removals, demonstrating a pattern of defiance towards court rulings. Alawieh’s case underscores escalating immigration policies targeting universities, particularly following pro-Palestinian protests.
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John Q. Hosedrinker