Since taking office, President Trump has issued a series of executive orders, several of which have direct implications for public agencies, including institutions of public education. In light of the volume and rapid issuance of executive orders, beginning in early February, LCW launched a weekly roundup of new executive orders that may impact public agency clients, including those in public education. Our Week 4 Executive Order Roundup describes multiple EOs, including the following, which are likely to be of particular interest to educational institutions:
- Executive Order: Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative (February 26, 2025). On February 26, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative.” The Order directs federal agencies to review, modify, or terminate discretionary contracts and grants to reduce spending and promote efficiency, with a focus on funds given to educational institutions and foreign entities to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. While this may affect California employers receiving federal funds, it does not impose new obligations on them.
Our Week 5 Executive Order Roundup describes multiple EOs, including the following, which are likely to be of particular interest to educational institutions:
- Executive Order: Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness (March 7, 2025). On March 7, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order redefining eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The Order directs the Secretary of Education to exclude from PSLF eligibility employees of organizations engaged in activities deemed illegal, including aiding violations of federal immigration laws, supporting terrorism, engaging in child abuse, abetting illegal discrimination, or violating laws related to trespassing, vandalism, and public obstruction.
- Update: Trump Administration Cancels $400 Million in Federal Funds to Columbia University Pursuant to Executive Order re Anti-Semitism (March 7, 2025). On March 7, 2025, the Trump administration took a step toward enforcing the January 29, 2025 Executive Order directing federal agencies to address anti-Semitic discrimination, particularly in educational institutions. In a joint statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. General Services Administration, the administration announced that it has canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University over what it described as the school’s failure to police antisemitism on campus. The decision was carried out, the statement said, “due to the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”
Our Week 6 Executive Order Roundup describes multiple EOs, including the following, which are likely to be of particular interest to educational institutions:
- Executive Action: Department of Education to Lay Off 1,300 Workers (March 11, 2025). The U.S. Department of Education announced plans to lay off over 1,300 employees, nearly halving its workforce. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grant making would remain unaffected. The Department’s Office for Civil Rights already has a heavy backlog of civil rights investigations, and the layoffs may result in further delays.
- Executive Action: Department of Education Investigates 45 Universities for Race-Based Discrimination. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched Title VI investigations into 45 universities following OCR’s February 14 Dear Colleague Letter reiterated schools’ civil rights obligations to end the use of racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.
- UPDATE: Fourth Circuit Lifts Injunction on DEI Executive Orders (March 14, 2025). The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a Maryland court’s injunction on President Trump’s DEI-related executive orders, finding the orders are “of distinctly limited scope.” This decision allows the Trump administration to proceed with its ban on DEI programs in federal agencies and among federal contractors
