Trump vows to eliminate ‘Marxist influence’ of accreditors on campuses: Why accreditation remains a battleground in U.S. higher education

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to eliminate what he calls the “Marxist influence” of accreditation agencies on American campuses. Trump contends that accreditors enforce leftist ideologies, especially through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards. Critics, however, argue that his efforts politicise quality control in higher education, risking academic standards. Trump’s proposed overhaul reignites debates on whether accrediting agencies should focus on academic quality or societal values within U.S. universities.