Former US President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders on Wednesday, focusing on race-related teachings, transgender policies, and campus protests. The directives reflect key issues from his campaign and aim to reshape school curricula and policies nationwide.
Restricting Race and Gender Teachings
One of the orders, titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,” seeks to:
- Limit the teaching of race-related issues and gender identity in schools.
- Establish a commission to promote “patriotic education” that presents US history in a positive light.
- Prevent schools from adopting policies that accommodate transgender students, such as requiring teachers to use preferred pronouns or allowing access to locker rooms based on gender identity.
While individual states control primary and secondary education policies, Trump has directed federal agencies to explore ways to enforce these measures, including tying compliance to federal funding.
Crackdown on Campus Protests
Another executive order, “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,” responds to widespread student protests following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. The order:
- Targets campus vandalism and discrimination against Jewish students.
- Directs agencies to explore actions against foreign students involved in illegal protests, including potential deportation.
Trump and many Republicans have criticized pro-Palestinian protests, arguing that they often promote extremist views.
Expanding School Choice
Trump also signed an order promoting “school choice,” which allows students to use public funds for private or charter schools. This approach is widely supported by Republicans who advocate for greater parental control over education.
Federal Influence and Legal Challenges
Despite these orders, the federal government has limited control over school policies, as education is largely managed at the state level. However, Trump’s directives could lead to legal battles over funding and civil rights protections.
His flurry of executive actions in recent days signals an aggressive push to reshape education, gender policies, and protest regulations in the US.