Trump’s Orders Take Aim at Critical Race Theory and Antisemitism on College Campuses
Education Department to Enforce Ban on “Indoctrination” in K-12 Schools
President Donald Trump is ordering U.S. schools to stop teaching what he views as “critical race theory” and other material dealing with race and sexuality or risk losing their federal money. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will investigate allegations of civil rights violations and can impose sanctions up to a total loss of federal money.
Examples of “Indoctrination” Cited in the Order
The order includes examples of policies that Trump views as “indoctrination,” such as a policy at Harrisonburg City Public Schools in Virginia requiring teachers to use students’ preferred names and pronouns. Another policy at Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin says schools should “disrupt the gender binary” by teaching students to embrace different gender identities.
Teachers and School Officials Who Promote “Social Transition” of Students to Face Action
Teachers and school officials who promote the “social transition” of students would face action from state, local and federal legal authorities, according to Trump’s plan. It says the practice amounts to sexual exploitation.
Fighting Antisemitism on College Campuses
A separate plan announced Wednesday calls for aggressive action to fight antisemitism on college campuses, promising to prosecute offenders and revoke visas for international students found to be “Hamas sympathizers.”
Plan to “Marshal All Federal Resources” to Investigate and Punish Offenders
The plan promises to “marshal all federal resources” and bring immediate action from the Justice Department to investigate and punish offenders on U.S. campuses. It calls for the deportation of nonresident aliens who “violate our laws,” citing previous threats by Trump to revoke student visas for international students who attended pro-Palestinian protests.
Accusations of Antisemitism in the Wake of Hamas’ Attack on Israel
The plan accuses the Biden administration of turning a blind eye to antisemitism in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the war that ensued. Tensions over the conflict led to emotional demonstrations on U.S. campuses, including a wave of Pro-Palestinian tent encampments that led to some 3,200 arrests.
Reinstatement of the 1776 Commission
The White House on Wednesday also reinstated an order from Trump’s first term establishing the 1776 Commission to promote “patriotic education” in U.S. schools. Biden revoked the order and the commission’s guide for teaching history, which was widely panned by historians for its outdated and inaccurate portrayal of American history.
Conclusion
Trump’s orders aim to ban the teaching of critical race theory and other material dealing with race and sexuality in K-12 schools, and to fight antisemitism on college campuses. The plans have been met with criticism from opponents who say they impose vague restrictions on teachers and create a chilling effect on discussions about history and other subjects.
FAQs
Q: What is critical race theory?
A: Critical race theory is a complex academic and legal framework centered on the idea that racism is embedded in the nation’s systems.
Q: What is the 1776 Commission?
A: The 1776 Commission is a group established by Trump to promote “patriotic education” in U.S. schools. The commission’s guide for teaching history was widely panned by historians for its outdated and inaccurate portrayal of American history.
Q: What is the Education Department’s role in enforcing the ban on “indoctrination” in K-12 schools?
A: The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will investigate allegations of civil rights violations and can impose sanctions up to a total loss of federal money.
Q: What is the plan to fight antisemitism on college campuses?
A: The plan promises to “marshal all federal resources” and bring immediate action from the Justice Department to investigate and punish offenders on U.S. campuses. It also calls for the deportation of nonresident aliens who “violate our laws.”
