Block Trump’s university loyalty pledges — protect free speech and academic freedom!
Petition to Congress:
We urge you to speak out in opposition to the White House’s university compact urging schools to pledge support to a political agenda in order to receive federal funding. Please protect critical funding for higher education, medical research, and scientific breakthroughs.
Trump is urging universities to sign a loyalty pledge in order to get “priority access” to federal funding.
The White House is using this pledge to pressure schools to cap international students, “protect conservative voices,” adhere to right-wing views on gender, and a list of other Trump admin education policy priorities.1 The American Association of University Professors said this loyalty oath would “usher in a new era of thought policing in American higher education.”2
Trump is trying to exert complete control over every corner of society. The White House is using the threat to withhold vital funding — which universities rely on to teach students, conduct groundbreaking medical research, and discover scientific breakthroughs — as a cudgel to force universities to submit to his agenda. Congress must immediately oppose this loyalty oath and protect federal funding for higher education NOW!
Sign the petition: Fight Trump’s education loyalty oath and secure critical federal funding for universities!
Trump has gone after the independence of media companies, law firms, tech corporations, schools, the Smithsonian, and even The Kennedy Center. The White House wants to control thought and speech in every classroom, business, museum, and home in the country.
Professors and faculty across higher education are speaking out about the dangers of Trump’s loyalty pledge, calling this a “real inflection point” in the fight for academic freedom.3
Governor Gavin Newsom responded to Trump’s loyalty pledge with a clear rebuke saying, “California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers, and surrender academic freedom.”4 Congress must protect universities and stand up to this attack on education.
Sign the petition: End Trump’s authoritarian university loyalty pledges!
Sources:
- The New York Times, "Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference,” October 2, 2025.
- American Association of University Professors, "Universities Must Reject Trump Admin "Loyalty Oath" Compacts,” October 2, 2025.
- The New York Times, "Trump Offered Universities an Invitation for a Deal. Some See a Trap.” October 2, 2025.
- Ibid.