If elected to a second term, former President Trump said he would “fire” figures on the “radical left” who “have allowed our universities to be controlled by Marxist maniacs and lunatics” and that higher education would be “American.” “We will ensure that we focus on preserving the traditions of the world,” he said. .
The presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee posted an education policy video on his Truth socials on Tuesday night amid violent anti-Semitic and anti-Israel protests on college campuses across the country. did.
President Trump slams Columbia University for shutting down campus amid anti-Israel protests: “It means the other side wins”
“For many years now, college tuition has exploded, absolutely exploded,” President Trump said. “While academics are preoccupied with indoctrinating America’s youth, the time has come to reclaim our once-great educational institutions from the radical left. And we will do it.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a 2024 election campaign rally in Waco, Texas, March 25, 2023. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images)
President Trump said his “secret weapon” is the “college accreditation system,” which he calls “accreditation for a reason.”
“Accrediting agencies are supposed to ensure schools are not exploiting students and taxpayers, and they have completely failed,” Trump said.
Accreditation is a third-party review process that determines whether an educational program meets defined quality standards.
“When I return to the White House, I will fire the accredited radical leftists who have allowed our universities to be controlled by Marxist lunatics and lunatics,” the former president continued. “Then we will accept applications for new accreditors who will hold the university to real standards once again and once again.”
President Trump said those standards include “defending American traditions and Western Civilization, protecting free speech, eliminating wasteful government jobs that surprisingly drive up costs, and promoting Marxist diversity, equity, and inclusion.” To eliminate all the sexual bureaucracy, provide early and low-cost degree options, provide meaningful job placement and career services, and prove that students are actually learning and getting value for their money. University entrance exams and graduation exams will be held.
President Trump also said that if elected, he would direct the Justice Department to “file federal civil rights lawsuits against schools that continue to discriminate.”
On Monday, April 22, 2024, anti-Israel agitators set up an encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York City. The university announced that all classes will be held virtually today in response to ongoing demonstrations on campus. (Peter Garber)
President Trump added, “Schools that continue to engage in blatant and illegal discrimination under the guise of fairness will not only have their donations taxed, but will be taxed through budget adjustments.”
President Trump said he would move forward with measures that would impose fines on universities “up to the full amount of their donations.”
“A portion of the seized funds will be used to compensate the victims of these illegal and unjust policies, policies that have seriously harmed our country,” he said.
Columbia University moves to hybrid learning on main campus amid anti-Semitic protests
“Universities earn hundreds of billions of dollars from hardworking taxpayers, and now we are going to remove this anti-American lunacy from our universities once and for all,” he continued. “We’re going to get a real education in America.”
The former president’s policy video was posted on Truth Social on Tuesday afternoon, shortly before he criticized Columbia University for moving classes virtually amid daily large-scale pro-Gaza protests on campus.
“They’re going to shut down Colombia now? I mean, that’s just crazy,” Trump said. “Colombia needs to find some strength and courage and keep its schools open.”
On Monday, April 22, 2024, anti-Israel agitators set up an encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York City. The university announced that all classes will be held virtually today in response to ongoing demonstrations on campus. (Peter Garber)
President Trump’s comments came after students at Columbia University were directed to move their classes to virtual or hybrid amid continuing safety concerns stemming from anti-Israel protests that filled the campus.
“It’s crazy because it means the other person wins,” President Trump said Tuesday. “When you start closing universities, that means the other side [wins.]”
“The people running Colombia have made a grave mistake,” Trump said.
Law enforcement officers block a road during a protest against the “Foreign Agents” bill in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 15, 2024. (Reuters/Irakli Gedenidze)
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As of Tuesday morning, Columbia University’s latest guidelines said all courses at Morningside’s main campus will transition to hybrid learning “until the end of each school’s spring 2024 semester.”
“Safety is our top priority as we strive to support our students’ learning and academic needs,” the school’s President Angela Olinto said in a statement released early Tuesday morning. She said: “Continuing education and learning is critical during this time.”
