The United States, once celebrated worldwide for its leadership in education and research, is now setting a worrying example. A new report by Scholars at Risk (SAR) indicates that actions taken by the Trump administration against academic institutions are effectively turning the nation into a blueprint for eroding academic freedom. Robert Quinn, SAR’s executive director, stated in the report, “We are witnessing an unprecedented situation, really as far as I can tell in history, where a global leader of education and research is voluntarily dismantling that which gave it an advantage.”
Rising Pressure on Campuses
In the initial half of 2025, SAR’s ‘Free to Think’ report documented approximately 40 direct assaults on academic freedom across the United States. These incidents varied widely, from the withdrawal of research funding to the detainment and attempted deportation of international scholars based on their political opinions.
The report also points to a significant increase in executive and legislative actions aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, alongside stricter governmental oversight of university admissions, hiring practices, research, and curriculum. This represents a notable change from 2024, when most pressures originated from state and local levels. Since Donald Trump’s re-election, the federal government has taken on a much more dominant role in dictating higher education policy.
A Global Perspective
Between mid-2024 and mid-2025, the Academic Freedom Monitoring Project documented 395 incidents targeting higher education leaders, faculty, staff, and students in 49 nations. These attacks encompassed arrests, legal proceedings, travel restrictions, job terminations, and even assassinations.
Outside of the United States, Scholars at Risk highlighted worrying trends in 15 other countries. For instance, in Bangladesh, student protests against the government were met with brutal force, resulting in up to 1,400 fatalities. In Serbia, government officials cut off salaries and funding for faculty members who supported anti-corruption efforts.
The report concludes that “The space for academic freedom has shrunk at an accelerating pace over the past decade.” It further cautions that even established democracies are seeing elected leaders employ both legal and, at times, extra-legal tactics to weaken universities.
Evolving Political Justifications
The conflict in Gaza and related campus demonstrations have intensified scrutiny of U.S. universities. Scholars at Risk observes that these events are being used as a justification to penalize students and academics who hold views different from official government stances.
Quinn explained that “The pressure on the higher education space has been going on for decades.” Prior to the current actions, universities often faced political opposition concerning subjects like critical race theory and gender studies. He added, “That being said, there is no question that the administration is using as a bold pretext the allegations of antisemitism centred around the Palestinian issue to justify in many cases extralegal activity to crack down on the space for independent thought.”
The Federal Government’s Increased Role
The report marks Trump’s return to power as a pivotal moment. In just the first 75 days of his new administration, over 30 legislative proposals impacting higher education were introduced. Furthermore, executive orders dismantled diversity and gender equity programs, and federal investigations into alleged antisemitism were launched at more than 60 universities, often circumventing standard protocols.
The administration also froze billions in federal research funding, placed new restrictions on student loans, and tightened eligibility for Pell Grants. Scholars at Risk contends that these actions have severely hampered both academic functions and student accessibility.
International Repercussions
The report underscores how U.S. policy changes are sending ripple effects across the globe. The revocation of international student visas, the implementation of more stringent admission criteria for foreign applicants, and substantial reductions to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) budget have all hampered educational and research endeavors spanning from Africa to Afghanistan.
For an organization previously dedicated to fostering the worldwide exchange of knowledge, these developments represent a significant step backward.
A Crucial Test for American Academia
For many years, American higher education was considered the gold standard for promoting openness and critical thought. Scholars at Risk now cautions that these fundamental principles are being undermined internally.
The report warns that if the world’s leading academic system starts to restrict intellectual independence, the repercussions will extend far beyond its national boundaries.