Trump vs Universities: How has higher education fared over a year of Trump?

U.S President Donald Trump finished a year into his second term in January 2026. His first year has seen monumental changes, both in domestic policy and international approaches. Tariffs, anti-immigration action and ICE raids, threats to take over Greenland, and a withdrawal from major international fora are merely part of what has taken place in President Trump’s first year, version two.

While the world comes to terms with Trump’s America, the U.S and its public, too, have had to contend with major changes to domestic institutions. Among these are universities and colleges, symbols of American enterprise and the American dream, which have come to occupy both top rankings and a place in the popular imagination across the world. President Trump, however, has promised to rid these institutes from the influence of the Marxist, woke left, and promote America-first education and a diversity of ideas.

What has been done so far? And what have the impacts been? The Hindu takes a look in an eight-part series.