US Academic Freedom Under Threat, Global Watchdog Warns
Title: US Academic Freedom Under Threat, Global Watchdog Warns
Slug: us-academic-freedom-dismantling-warning
A prominent international organization dedicated to safeguarding academic freedom worldwide has issued a stark warning: the United States, under the Trump administration, is actively eroding the foundations of its higher education system, transforming it into a template for dismantling academic liberties globally.
“We are witnessing an unprecedented situation β really as far as I can tell in history β where a global leader of education and research is voluntarily dismantling that which gave it an advantage,” stated Robert Quinn, executive director of Scholars at Risk (SAR), an international network advocating for academic freedom.
Federal Pressure Intensifies in 2025
SAR’s annual “Free to Think” report, compiled by its Academic Freedom Monitoring Project, documented approximately 40 distinct assaults on academic freedom within the U.S. during the first half of 2025 alone. These incidents span a wide range of actions, from the federal governmentβs withdrawal of critical research funding to the apprehension and attempted deportation of international scholars based on their political perspectives. The report also highlighted a “torrent” of executive orders, legislative mandates, and other measures specifically targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, alongside various other educational programs.
The latest data signifies a continued and accelerating decline in academic freedom across the U.S. The previous year saw 80 documented instances of pressure against universities. While the majority of these earlier pressures originated from state governments and local entities, the nature of these attacks underwent a significant shift following January 2025. After Donald Trumpβs re-election, the report notes a pronounced increase in pressure emanating directly from the federal government. This includes the administration’s concerted efforts to exert control over university admissions, hiring practices, research agendas, teaching methodologies, and disciplinary processes.
Global Context: Attacks on Higher Education
Beyond the United States, the SAR report provided a comprehensive analysis of 395 attacks on leaders, faculty, staff, and students in higher education across 49 countries between mid-2024 and mid-2025. These global incidents encompassed severe violations such as targeted killings, forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and prosecutions. Additionally, the report cataloged firings, travel restrictions, and various administrative punitive measures.
In addition to the concerning developments within the U.S., the report underscored troubling situations in 15 other nations. Bangladesh was specifically cited, where student-led anti-government demonstrations were met with a brutal government crackdown, resulting in the deaths of up to…
The findings from Scholars at Risk paint a grim picture, suggesting that the U.S., historically a beacon of academic inquiry and open discourse, is now at risk of undermining the very principles that have fueled its educational and research prowess. The implications of such a trajectory could profoundly impact not only American universities but also the global landscape of intellectual freedom and scientific advancement.
Meta Description: Global academic freedom group warns the US is becoming a model for dismantling higher education. A new report details 40 federal attacks in 2025.
Focus Keyword: academic freedom
Source: The Guardian
