MIT became the first university to reject the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which offered preferential access to federal funding in exchange for adhering to the administration’s higher education agenda. President Sally Kornbluth cited concerns about limitations on freedom of expression and the undermining of the university’s independence, arguing that scientific funding should be based on merit alone. The compact, sent to nine universities, proposed capping international student enrollment, freezing tuition, and mandating the adoption of federal gender definitions, along with prohibiting policies deemed to “belittle” conservative ideas. While the University of Texas System expressed strong support, other universities like Brown, University of Virginia, Dartmouth, and University of Pennsylvania expressed concerns, setting a precedent for others to potentially follow.
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The Trump administration has frozen funding for $2.1 billion worth of infrastructure projects in Chicago, including the Red Line extension, citing concerns about “race-based contracting,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Illinois’s elected officials, including Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, have strongly condemned the move, accusing the White House of using its power to punish political opponents amid the federal government shutdown and questioning the prioritization of aid to Argentina over Chicago. Officials like Representative Mike Quigley have warned that this could be the beginning of a broader effort to cut federal funding to cities that disagree with the president and that the Red Line funding might be permanently blocked.
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US memo to colleges proposes terms on ideology, foreign enrollment for federal funds, and it’s causing quite a stir, as you might imagine. The whole thing smacks of… well, let’s just say a lot of folks aren’t thrilled. The core of the issue is a proposed set of terms that colleges would have to agree to in order to receive federal funding. These terms reportedly touch on two major areas: the ideological bent of the institutions and the number of foreign students they enroll.
Now, the idea of the government trying to influence the ideological leanings of universities… that’s where things start to get tricky.… Continue reading
Donald Trump threatened to cut off federal funding to New York City if Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee, is elected, falsely labeling Mamdani a “communist.” Trump stated Mamdani would face “problems” and not receive funding, implying it would hinder his “FAKE Communist promises.” Despite Trump’s actions, the election is scheduled for November 4th, and the city relies on billions in federal funds for education, housing, and social services. The US Department of Education also threatened to strip the city of funding unless it ended transgender protections.
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A federal judge ruled the Trump administration cannot deny funding to numerous cities and counties due to their policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration efforts. The ruling extends a preliminary injunction preventing the administration from withholding federal funds from “sanctuary” jurisdictions, deeming the administration’s actions an unconstitutional “coercive threat.” The judge also blocked the administration from imposing immigration-related conditions on specific grant programs. The ruling comes after the administration issued executive orders targeting these jurisdictions as part of its efforts to remove individuals in the country illegally and had published a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions”.
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced it would begin winding down operations due to the elimination of its federal funding. This non-profit organization, which provides funding to public radio and television stations, PBS, and NPR, was targeted by the Trump administration and Congress, resulting in the termination of its funding. The CPB will conclude the majority of staff positions by the end of the fiscal year in September 2025 and a small transition team will remain through January 2026. The decision has raised concerns from NPR and PBS, which receive significant funding through the CPB, and could lead to layoffs, station closures, and reduced emergency alert capabilities, particularly in rural areas.
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Columbia University has reached a $220 million settlement with the Trump administration over concerns of antisemitism on campus. The agreement, which includes a $200 million payment over three years and $21 million to settle related investigations, stems from the administration’s claims of the university’s failure to address antisemitism during the Israel-Hamas war. As part of the deal, Columbia will implement reforms, including changes to its curriculum and student disciplinary processes, while also agreeing to ensure its programs do not promote unlawful DEI goals. This settlement, reached after months of scrutiny, allows Columbia to restore federal funding and safeguard its independence.
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In response to the Trump administration’s withholding of federal funds, primarily in blue states, Democratic legislators are proposing bills to allow states to withhold federal payments in return. These novel bills, introduced in multiple states, target instances where the federal government is deemed delinquent in its funding obligations. While these measures face legal challenges due to the supremacy clause, they represent state-level efforts to counter what is seen as an overreach by the Trump administration. Legal experts note that the financial imbalance between federal and state funding could limit the bills’ effectiveness and potentially lead to further retaliation. Despite these hurdles, some lawmakers see the bills as a necessary assertive response to the federal government’s actions.
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In response to President Trump’s efforts to withhold federal funding, Democratic legislators in several states are introducing bills that would allow them to withhold state payments to the federal government. The proposed legislation, introduced in states like Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin, aims to counter the administration’s actions, which have frozen funds for various programs. While these bills face legal challenges and are unlikely to significantly impact the flow of funds, they represent a symbolic effort to challenge the federal government’s actions and protect state residents. Legal experts point out that the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause gives precedence to the federal government, but also recognize the potential for retaliation from the Trump administration.
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Escalating tensions between California and the Trump administration have led to a potential conflict over tax funding. California Governor Newsom threatened to withhold the state’s substantial tax contributions to the federal government—approximately $83 billion more than it receives in return—in response to potential federal funding cuts to the state’s university system. Treasury Secretary Bessent countered, accusing Newsom of threatening criminal tax evasion and suggesting California adopt Trump-era tax cuts. This “donor state” dynamic highlights the significant financial disparity between states’ tax contributions and federal funding received.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood