Department of Justice Targets GW for “Hostile Educational Environment”

George Washington University, the 59th best university in the country per US News & World and one Walls has deep educational connections with, seems to be the next subject of the presidential higher education crackdowns enforced by President Trump. 

Since taking the office in late January, the Trump Administration has been targeting higher education across the US for supposed antisemitism, damaging DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs that he claims support “anti-white racism”, and programs that discuss “race, racism, gender, and sexuality,” according to the ACLU. 

In a letter sent to President Ellen Granberg on Aug. 12, the Department of Justice wrote that they had found that the GW administration’s response to pro-Palestinian protests the previous spring was “deliberately indifferent to the hostile educational environment for Jewish, American-Israeli, and Israeli students and faculty.”

The letter also warned that absent GW its entrance into a voluntary resolution agreement with the administration, it may face “enforcement” measures. Though neither the university nor the administration have publicly commented on the state of such an agreement, the GW Hatchet reported on Aug. 25 that a University spokesperson stated that officials are “in contact” with the department. Since then, no apparent “enforcement” mechanisms have been utilized. 

Given the unpredictable nature of the administration’s crackdown on higher education, Walls students and teachers who depend on GW resources remain nervous. 

Gym teacher Mr. Henning says he worries for our facilities if GW loses funding, especially since “without the facilities we have there, we really can’t do very much.” After all, Walls physical education classes have long relied on the GW gym. 

Art teacher Jason Bulluck also expressed concerns about the potential implications of the federal government cutting GW’s funding. Bulluck mentioned in particular that GW has a “world-class research program.” Without sufficient funds, Walls students would no longer be able to, for example, continue interning in GW research labs.  

Bulluck further explained that because of their proximity, the conditions at GW have a large impact on the learning “atmosphere” at Walls. After all, students leave Walls during lunch, walk through the campuses before and after school, utilize GW facilities, and more. 

For now though, a tenuous peace between the Trump administration and GW leadership seems to persist.