President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order targeting the influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in higher education accreditation. The order mandates that accrediting agencies evaluate universities based solely on merit—metrics like graduation rates, job placement, and student outcomes—rather than adherence to ideological or DEI-driven guidelines.
President Trump signs Executive Order to ensure education accreditors evaluate universities based on MERIT, not DEI or ideological guidelines. pic.twitter.com/niL7j8hajw
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) April 23, 2025
Trump, addressing supporters, described the move as a decisive blow against “woke” accreditors, whom he accused of enforcing Marxist and discriminatory standards across academia. He criticized the existing system, which oversees billions in federal student aid, for prioritizing political conformity over educational quality. The order encourages the formation of new accrediting bodies focused on excellence and aims to simplify the process for universities to switch accreditors.
Trump singled out institutions like Harvard, claiming they favor DEI over merit. The policy seeks to reshape how universities are judged, emphasizing fairness and student success.
Supporters view it as a return to common-sense education standards, while critics argue it could disrupt established accreditation frameworks. The administration frames this as a victory for students and taxpayers, signaling a broader push to realign higher education with merit-based principles.