Defend George Mason: Stop Trump’s Political Retaliation

The Trump administration is abusing federal power to intimidate institutions of higher learning, starting with George Mason University. The Justice Department and Department of Education have launched politically motivated investigations into the university’s diversity hiring and antisemitism policies, despite no credible legal violations. GMU’s own president called the investigations “orchestrated” and “perplexing,” as the university had already taken steps to address concerns. These actions follow a pattern of pressuring university leadership, including the resignation of the University of Virginia’s president under similar scrutiny. This is not law enforcement. It is political punishment. Legal scholars and civil rights experts have warned that targeting schools for ideological reasons erodes academic freedom and the constitutional principle of equal protection. George Mason is Virginia’s largest public university and a national leader in economic diversity. Turning it into a political target weakens every public university in the country and undermines the independence our democracy depends on. Congress must act. Pass legislation that limits politically motivated investigations and protects institutional autonomy. Defend the right of students and faculty to teach, learn, and govern free from government intimidation. This is a dangerous step toward authoritarianism. Stop it now.