Trump vows to return college campuses 'taken over by Marxist maniacs'

Trump lays out his plans in new campaign video overhauling US higher education.

In a campaign video this week, the former US president vowed to reclaim campuses he claimed had been taken over by «Marxist maniacs.»< /p>

Trump's latest pledge is a continuation of his efforts to reverse the Obama-era policies that promote diversity in universities. It also echoes, in part, the policies of his Republican rival Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, who said last year that college campuses are «intellectually repressive environments.»

Mr. Trump has proposed a new financial structure that would see institutions forfeit their donations to pay the legal fees of students who lost university places as a result of affirmative action, also known as affirmative action, the practice of providing benefits to individuals in a group perceived to be disadvantaged or discriminated against.

«The Department of Justice will investigate federal civil rights cases against schools that continue to engage in racial discrimination and schools that persist and openly acknowledge unlawful discrimination under the guise of justice,» he said.< /p>

“I will be promoting a penalty in the form of a fine on the full amount of their donations. Then part of the seized funds will be used as restitution for the victims of this illegal and unjust policy.” The 39th promise echoes the policies of his Republican rival Ron DeSantis. Photo: AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File

During Trump's tenure, the Department of Education, under Assistant Secretary of State Betsy DeVos, changed federal rules governing college accreditation agencies. The new rules have given accreditors more power to approve university programs, but the Trump administration has not tried to influence the curriculum.

The changes have been a point of contention among US policymakers, with President Joe Biden planning to revise the rules for college accreditors in this 2019.

Democrats have widely criticized Mr. Trump's previous changes as loosening oversight of accreditors.

As part of his plan, Mr. Trump said he would fire existing accreditation organizations dedicated to issues of race, diversity, equality, and inclusion, which he said were too intertwined with «Marxist bureaucrats.»

He also promised to solve the problem of the «explosive» cost of higher education and accused scientists of «suggestion» of students and restriction of freedom of speech.

Colleges. required to offer «accelerated and low-cost degrees» and promote «significant employment and career services.»

«For many years the cost of college and university education has skyrocketed, I mean absolutely explosive. Well, scientists have been hell-bent on indoctrinating American youth,” he said.

“These standards will include protecting American traditions and Western civilization, protecting free speech, eliminating wasteful administrative jobs that drive up costs incredibly,” — he said. Trump added.