President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders Wednesday aimed at reshaping how the federal government interacts with colleges and universities, including tighter oversight of accreditation and federal funding processes.

The centerpiece of the effort focuses on the college accreditation system, which determines institutional eligibility for billions in federal student aid, including Pell Grants and student loans. According to the administration, the order instructs the Secretary of Education to hold accreditors accountable, including measures such as monitoring, suspending, or revoking recognition for those that underperform or violate the federal Civil Rights Act.

The executive directive also authorizes the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to investigate and, if necessary, take action against discriminatory practices within higher education institutions — including law schools and medical programs.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the administration’s focus on making universities operate as merit-based systems, reflecting the White House’s ongoing efforts to challenge diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in both education and the workforce.

These moves are part of a broader strategy developed by Trump’s Domestic Policy Council, led in part by Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who has played a key role in shaping the administration’s education agenda.

Alongside the accreditation order, President Trump signed several additional measures on Wednesday:

  • One executive order mandates that educational institutions prepare students to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools effectively, ensuring that young Americans are trained to compete in a rapidly evolving economy. “We have trillions of dollars going into AI,” Trump said during the signing. “This is a big deal.”
  • Another directive calls on federal agencies to enforce existing laws regarding foreign donations to universities. White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf stated that universities receiving substantial foreign contributions must comply with long-standing disclosure requirements, which the administration argues have been under-enforced.
  • A separate order reestablishes a White House initiative focused on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Although the president has previously promoted HBCU funding, his relationship with these institutions has at times been marked by inconsistent support and political tension.

These actions come shortly after the administration announced a $2.2 billion freeze in federal funding for Harvard University, signaling a dramatic shift in the federal government’s role in academic governance and sparking debate over academic freedom, campus accountability, and government oversight.