GET THE APP
Monday, February 23, 2026

Tag: Affirmative Action
October 2, 2025
Education

Trump Proposes Funding Boost for Universities Promoting Conservative Perspectives.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump is offering nine universities a deal to advance conservative ideas on campus in exchange for federal funding.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration and nine universities.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The offer was sent from the White House on Wednesday to universities across the U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: Participating universities will be required to scrap departments that “purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”

🎯IMPACT: So far, nine universities have been sent the proposal, which includes stipulations such as banning race or sex as factors in admissions and hiring, freezing tuition fees for five years, and capping international undergraduate students at 15 percent.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has proposed a 10-point “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” to nine top universities, requiring them to promote conservative ideas and meet other conditions in exchange for federal funding. The compact promises benefits such as “substantial and meaningful federal grants” for universities that comply.

The deal includes stipulations such as banning race or sex as factors in admissions and hiring, freezing tuition fees for five years, and capping foreign undergraduate students at 15 percent. Universities must also foster a “vibrant marketplace of ideas” and scrap departments that “purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”

So far, nine universities have been sent the proposal, including Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, and others. May Mailman, a senior White House adviser, explained that these universities were selected because their leadership or boards have shown a commitment to higher-quality education.

Critics, such as Cornell William Brooks from Harvard Kennedy School, have condemned the compact as a “weapon to exert command and control.”

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 17, 2025
Health
Politics

Top Medical School Faces Civil Rights Complaint After Ignoring Anti-DEI Order.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Johns Hopkins Medical School is facing a civil rights complaint for allegedly continuing to follow diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies despite a federal executive order banning them.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: America First Legal (AFL), Johns Hopkins Medical School, and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The complaint was filed on Thursday, focusing on practices at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore, Maryland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is about restoring equal treatment under the law. Johns Hopkins has received billions in taxpayer dollars, but it is actively segregating opportunities based on race and sex. That is not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.” – Megan Redshaw, AFL counsel.

🎯IMPACT: The complaint alleges systemic discrimination and a deliberate effort to evade the Supreme Court’s ruling banning affirmative action in admissions, potentially setting a precedent for future cases.

IN FULL

America First Legal (AFL) has filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Johns Hopkins Medical School, alleging the institution continues to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which were banned for institutions receiving federal dollars under an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump. The complaint accuses the school of engaging in “systemic, intentional, and ongoing discrimination” by factoring race into admissions and hiring processes and hosting programs that limit participation based on race, gender, or sexuality.

Megan Redshaw, counsel at AFL, criticized the school’s practices, stating, “This is about restoring equal treatment under the law. Johns Hopkins has received billions in taxpayer dollars, but it is actively segregating opportunities based on race and sex. That is not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.”

The complaint also claims the medical school is attempting to circumvent a Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action policies. AFL alleges that Johns Hopkins uses race-based outreach and pathway programs to “pre-filter applicants to achieve predetermined demographic outcomes.” Additionally, the school’s residency program allegedly includes leadership roles specifically aimed at recruiting individuals based on race, gender, or sexuality.

Johns Hopkins’ website openly supports DEI initiatives, stating its mission is to “recruit, promote, retain, and engage those underrepresented in medicine, science, nursing, and healthcare administration so that we can achieve health equity.” Scholarships offered by the school reportedly favor certain demographic groups, including non-U.S. citizens and minority students, while socioeconomic status is allegedly used as a proxy for race.

The Trump administration has prioritized dismantling discriminatory DEI programs. President Trump signed multiple executive orders to ban their use in federally funded programs, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Civil Rights Act. The Department of Education under Trump also reinforced these priorities, notifying schools that racial discrimination would not be tolerated.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 11, 2025
Education
Politics

Columbia Strikes Deal with Trump Admin on Anti-Semitism, Racial Discrimination Allegations.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Columbia University is nearing a deal with the Trump administration to compensate victims of unlawful discrimination and increase transparency in hiring and admissions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Columbia University and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The draft agreement was first reported on Friday, July 11, 2025; Columbia University and the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: A senior White House official told the media that the deal would “solidify reporting obligations related to foreign gifts” and ensure compensation for “victims of civil rights abuses.”

🎯IMPACT: The deal could set a precedent for other universities and increase accountability on anti-Semitism and racial discrimination issues.

IN FULL

Columbia University is in the final stages of negotiations with the Trump administration on a deal addressing unlawful discrimination and anti-Semitism. The agreement would require Columbia to compensate victims and adopt measures to increase transparency in hiring and admissions processes.

Notably, The National Pulse reported on Thursday that attorney Jay Lefkowitz, known for once securing a lenient deal for sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, was hired to act as a negotiator for Columbia in its discussions with the Trump administration. Sources told The National Pulse that Lefkowitz has outplayed federal negotiators in the Trump administration and was on the verge of finalizing an agreement with the U.S. government to rescue the far-left college from financial disaster.

The university’s board of trustees convened on Sunday to discuss the draft agreement, which would also restore access to $400 million in federal grants and contracts previously frozen by the White House’s anti-Semitism task force. A senior White House official told the media that the deal would “solidify reporting obligations related to foreign gifts” and ensure compensation for “victims of civil rights abuses.”

Notably, the agreement includes provisions for public disclosure of hiring and admissions data to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action. Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, is expected to supervise compliance. The agreement also includes measures that Columbia University agreed to earlier this year, such as tightening protest rules and placing its Middle Eastern Studies department under receivership. However, it is believed that in its current form, the deal lacks systemic reforms like the consent decree pushed by the Trump White House earlier this year and a politically diverse presidential search committee tasked with replacing the school’s interim president, Claire Shipman.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 18, 2025
Education
Politics

Education Department Cuts $600M from DEI Teacher Training.

President Donald J. Trump‘s Department of Education is moving to enact significant cuts in the allocation of federal grants that are funding training programs for teachers focused on topics such as critical race theory, social justice activism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the Biden government, these funds were allocated to organizations and nonprofit groups that work to educate teachers on how to push anti-racism and ‘deconstruct’ supposed white privilege and supremacy. Additionally, the grant money appears to have supported hiring practices emphasizing a candidate’s racial background.

Critics of these programs, such as Erika Sanzi from Parents Defending Education, argue that such training emphasizes race and gender as central criteria for assessing individuals, potentially leading to the integration of these ideas into classroom practices and policies.

“It’s hard to overstate how radical these teacher trainings are—we are talking about forcing teachers to talk about their race at work, asking educators to ‘take personal and institutional responsibility for systemic inequities,’ promoting abolitionist teaching practices and defining equity as equal outcomes,” Sanzi said in a statement, adding: “And not for nothing but all we see are declining outcomes for the students that these trainings purport to help most.”

The Department of Education, in announcing the cuts, noted the programs funded included materials encouraging educators to take responsibility for so-called systemic inequities such as racism, and providing professional development on cultural competence and dismantling racial biases. Additionally, the training sought to build an understanding of racial and sociopolitical histories to combat student marginalization.

These funding reductions are part of President Trump’s broader efforts to identify and cut government waste, fraud, and abuse. Additional recent cuts include $900 million from the Institute of Education Sciences and more than $350 million from Regional Educational Laboratories and Equity Assistance Centers.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

show less
President Donald J. Trump's Department of Education is moving to enact significant cuts in the allocation of federal grants that are funding training programs for teachers focused on topics such as critical race theory, social justice activism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the Biden government, these funds were allocated to organizations and nonprofit groups that work to educate teachers on how to push anti-racism and 'deconstruct' supposed white privilege and supremacy. Additionally, the grant money appears to have supported hiring practices emphasizing a candidate's racial background. show more
December 6, 2024
Education
News
War

Judge Upholds Anti-White Race-Based Admissions at Naval Academy.

A federal judge has affirmed the United States Naval Academy’s ability to factor in a candidate’s race as part of its admissions program. Judge Richard Bennett decided the case in Annapolis on Friday, December 6. It comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision that largely deemed race-based admissions in higher education unconstitutional, though it left room for exceptions elsewhere.

Students for Fair Admissions, the same organization that initiated the Supreme Court case, challenged the Naval Academy’s policy. They argued that the policy discriminates against white candidates who are otherwise qualified.

The Academy defended its admissions approach, stating that having a racially diverse group of naval officers contributes to national security and bolsters the military’s standing.

Judge Bennett said, “The Academy has tied its use of race to the realization of an officer corps that represents the country it protects and the people it leads.”

Following the decision, Students for Fair Admissions signaled plans to appeal, maintaining their opposition to what they see as preferential treatment for minority candidates.

The case comes in the wake of a massive decline in white recruits in the U.S. military, totaling 35 percent over the last five years. While minority groups have increased slightly among military recruits, their numbers have not been enough to fill the gap.

Experts claim the reasons for the decline are multi-faceted, but the infiltration of leftist ideologies and making diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a priority over military readiness are factors.

show less
A federal judge has affirmed the United States Naval Academy's ability to factor in a candidate's race as part of its admissions program. Judge Richard Bennett decided the case in Annapolis on Friday, December 6. It comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision that largely deemed race-based admissions in higher education unconstitutional, though it left room for exceptions elsewhere. show more
discrimination against whites
September 12, 2023
Culture
News

Top Law Firms Illegally Discriminating Against Whites.

Five prominent law firms in the United States have been accused of operating diversity programs that either exclude white applicants or explicitly favor minorities. Morrison & Foerster and Perkins Coie were sued last month over their minority-only fellowships, and experts suggest that these lawsuits could have broader implications for the legal profession. Other firms being accused of the practice include Wachtell Lipton, Winston & Strawn, Baker McKenzie, Sidley Austin, and Susman Godfrey. These firms have been ranked as some of the top in the country.

The law firms’ diversity programs, which range from paid internships to mentoring programs and cash awards, have stringent criteria based on race. While many white-shoe law firms have initiatives to boost minority representation, these firms stand out by limiting or entirely excluding white applicants.

The potential legal challenges to these discriminatory practices are expected to increase following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding affirmative action, according to Kenneth Marcus, the former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Education Department during the Trump administration. Some experts believe that these programs violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and complainants argue that they are instances of pay discrimination and favor minority employees.

The recent affirmative action verdict may impact law firms’ decisions in defending race-based programs. Conservative groups they intend to launch a major campaign against radical corporate ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ programs. Professor David Bernstein from George Mason University Law School suggests most of these programs violate employment and contracting laws, including one that is ironically referred to as a scholarship but appears to be an employment bonus. In the case of Wachtell, however, experts argue that the firm has explicitly set aside a quota of first-year positions based on race, which they believe is blatantly illegal.

show less
Five prominent law firms in the United States have been accused of operating diversity programs that either exclude white applicants or explicitly favor minorities. Morrison & Foerster and Perkins Coie were sued last month over their minority-only fellowships, and experts suggest that these lawsuits could have broader implications for the legal profession. Other firms being accused of the practice include Wachtell Lipton, Winston & Strawn, Baker McKenzie, Sidley Austin, and Susman Godfrey. These firms have been ranked as some of the top in the country. show more
diversity
July 21, 2023
Jack Montgomery
News

Dem AGs Tell Corporates: Ignore Conservatives, ‘Double Down’ on ‘Diversity’.

Democrat attorneys general for 21 states plus Washington D.C. have written to Fortune 500 executives urging them to keep using corporate power to push diversity.

“We applaud the Fortune 100 for your collective efforts to address historic inequities, increase workplace diversity, and create inclusive environments,” wrote the Democrat law officers.

Addressing a previous letter from 13 Republican attorneys general, warning CEOs that a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action “should place every employer and contractor on notice of the illegality of racial quotas and race-based preferences in employment and contracting practices,” the Democrats told the executives that conservative were trying to “intimidate [them] into rolling back the progress many of you have made.”

“In fact, businesses should double-down on diversity-focused programs because there is still much more work to be
done,” they demanded.

Despite being a party of the left, the Democrats have long sought to co-opt corporations to advance their worldview. They have found willing collaborators in the likes of Larry Fink, CEO of the gargantuan investment firm BlackRock, who boasted in 2017 that companies like his were using their financial clout to “force behaviors” on gender and race.

The full list of attorneys general who signed the Fortune 500 letter is provided below:

  • Kris Mayes, Attorney General for Arizona
  • Rob Bonta, Attorney General for California
  • Philip J. Weiser, Attorney General for Colorado
  • William Tong, Attorney General for Connecticut
  • Kathy Jennings, Attorney General for Delaware
  • Anne Lopez, Attorney General for Hawai’i
  • Kwame Raoul, Attorney General for Illinois
  • Aaron M. Frey, Attorney General for Maine
  • Anthony Brown, Attorney General for Maryland
  • Andrea Campbell, Attorney General for Massachusetts
  • Dana Nessel, Attorney General for Michigan
  • Keith Ellison, Attorney General for Minnesota
  • Matt Platkin, Attorney General for New Jersey
  • Raul Torrez, Attorney General for New Mexico
  • Letitia James, Attorney General for New York
  • Ellen Rosenblum, Attorney General for Oregon
  • Peter Neronha, Attorney General for Rhode Island
  • Charity Clark, Attorney General for Vermont
  • Bob Ferguson, Attorney General for Washington
  • Brian Schwalb, Attorney General for the District of Columbia
show less
Democrat attorneys general for 21 states plus Washington D.C. have written to Fortune 500 executives urging them to keep using corporate power to push diversity. show more