Academic freedom in America needs to be defended. Here’s how | Jan-Werner Müller

To begin with, universities should not be intimidated by the claim that public opinion is turning against them. That’s not necessarily true
Less than two months in office, the Trump administration has conclusively demonstrated two things: if it declares you an enemy, it will come after you; and when it comes after you, it will test the limits of legality.
JD Vance already professed years ago that professors are the enemy in his view. And the president himself is encouraging his underlings to adopt the strategy familiar from his decades in business: do something illegal and see if anyone sues. It is crucial that university leaders see the measures taken against Columbia not as an isolated incident, but as a test for how far the education system can be subjugated. In other words, it is not an isolated problem for one place but a collective challenge that requires a collective response.
Jan-Werner Müller is a Guardian US columnist and a professor of politics at Princeton University.
Continue reading...Topics
-
Here’s how many ‘dead people’ really collect Social Security
Less than one-third of 1% are erroneously reported deaths that need to be corrected, according to the Social Security AdministrationMarketWatch - 1d -
There’s nothing elitist about college or university. We should reject that idea | Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti
Higher education institutions continue to function as powerful engines of social mobility. They need more, not less, support. It’s no secret that the Trump administration is not a friend of the ...The Guardian - 2d -
Education Department investigating dozens of universities after DEI warning letter
The Education Department announced Friday it is investigating more than 50 colleges and universities over what it called "racial preferences" in academics or scholarships, a move that comes amid ...The Hill - 4d -
How major cuts at Johns Hopkins could impact public health
Major health research institution Johns Hopkins University says it is eliminating more than 2,000 jobs after the Trump administration cut $800 million in funding from the United States Agency for ...CBS News - 18h -
Harvard researchers sue the Trump administration for removing their work from public website
Two Harvard researchers said in a lawsuit that the Trump administration removed their work from a public website because it referenced the LGBTQ community.NBC News - 4d -
Trump defends cuts to federal workforce and Department of Education
President Trump said he felt "very badly" for the federal workers who have lost their jobs under his administration but defended the decision by claiming "many of them don't work at all." Trump ...NBC News - 6d -
America needs a serious opposition
Democrats should spend less time on gimmicks and more on communicating what they actually stand forFinancial Times - Mar. 9 -
No disease is deadlier in Africa than malaria. Trump's US aid cuts weaken the fight against it
Malaria season begins this month in a large part of AfricaABC News - Mar. 9 -
Conservatives claim to be fighting antisemitism. Don’t believe them.
Conservative Christians are pushing themselves to the front of the fight against antisemitism and claiming, in essence, to be better Jews than the Jews themselves.The Hill - 1d
More from The Guardian
-
Strikes that shattered ceasefire not a ‘one-day attack’, Israel says, after deadliest 24 hours in Gaza since start of war – Middle East crisis live
Benjamin Netanyahu says attacks were carried out to ‘achieve war objectives’ as Hamas labels strikes a ‘blatant violation of humanitarian conventions’. Israeli strikes kill hundreds in Gaza ...The Guardian - 33m -
Trump and Putin agree to seek limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure after leaders hold call on Ukraine – Europe live
Vladimir Putin issues long list of conditions and demands that require ‘further consideration’. Speaking for the Greens, who are expected to back the CDU/CSU and the SPD today after a political ...The Guardian - 38m -
German MPs approve €500bn spending boost to counter ‘Putin’s war of aggression’
Historic levels of spending on military and infrastructure secured in Bundestag with last-minute backing of Greens. Europe live – latest updates Germany’s parliament has voted in favour of ...The Guardian - 2h -
German man with green card ‘violently interrogated’ by US border officials
Berlin checking if US immigration policy has changed after Fabian Schmidt becomes third German to be detained. Berlin is investigating whether US immigration policy has changed, after a German ...The Guardian - 49m -
Canada’s Liberals on course for political resurrection amid trade war, polls show
Mark Carney-led ruling party projected to form majority months after political wipeout seemed inevitable. In January, Canadian pollsters and political pundits struggled to find fresh ways to ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Live Updates: Israel Launches Deadly Strikes on Gaza, in Breakdown of Cease-Fire
The assaults targeting Hamas killed more than 400 people, local officials said, and were the first major strikes in Gaza since both sides agreed to a truce in January.The New York Times - 7m -
Israel Resumes Attacks in Gaza After Stalled Cease-Fire Talks with Hamas
While the Israeli government has stopped short of a ground invasion for now, its new strikes in Gaza seem to be an effort to force concessions from Hamas.The New York Times - 7m -
Real Madrid v Arsenal: Women’s Champions League quarter-final, first leg – live
Updates from first-leg tie, kick-off 5.45pm (GMT) Quarter-final previews | And you can email Sarah 2 min : Both teams are just finding their feet in the early stages of this one but a ball ...The Guardian - 18m -
Hungary bans Pride events and plans to use facial recognition to target attenders
Amnesty International describes legislation as ‘full-frontal attack’ on country’s LGBTQ+ community. MPs in Hungary have voted to ban Pride events and allow authorities to use facial recognition ...The Guardian - 20m -
Supreme court chief justice says Trump call for judge’s impeachment ‘not an appropriate response’ – live
John Roberts issues rare public statement after US president escalates rightwing attacks on the judiciary . White House’s defense for not recalling deportations ‘one heck of a stretch’, says ...The Guardian - 23m