Senator Bernie Sanders, the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), has released a report that details 17 cases where President Donald Trump allegedly violated or likely violated the First Amendment in matters related to college campuses. The findings are based on federal court decisions.
Sanders stated, “The Trump administration is moving this country very aggressively into an authoritarian society. Trump’s attempts to control what colleges can say is a direct attack on the First Amendment and the U.S. Constitution.” He added, “That is not just Bernie Sanders talking. Courts across the country have warned about the Trump administration’s rising authoritarianism.”
Among the cases highlighted in the report:
- A District Court judge appointed by Trump in Maryland found that changes made by the Department of Education led many educators to fear punishment for lawful speech.
- In California, a District Court judge determined that executive agencies were conducting a campaign to remove certain viewpoints from leading universities.
- A Massachusetts District Court judge emphasized that constitutional rights are crucial protections against authoritarianism and referenced George Washington's warning about losing freedom of speech.
The report also notes that nearly $3 billion less was distributed to higher education institutions during Trump's first nine months in office in 2025 compared to 2024, despite no changes in congressional funding levels. It states that at least 50 university faculty and staff members have resigned or left their positions due to their views since Trump's election, and at least 6,000 student visas have been revoked according to data from the U.S. State Department.
Additionally, Sanders’ report claims that steps have been taken by the administration to influence higher education further by altering accreditation processes—traditionally nonpartisan—which determine eligibility for federal student aid.
Sanders urged academic institutions not to give up their constitutional protections: “Colleges and universities must not relinquish their constitutional rights to Trump's authoritarianism,” he said. “In America, the president should not get to decide what professors can teach, what research is conducted or who universities can enroll.”
The HELP Committee addresses policy areas including public health, education policy, workforce development, labor protections and provides oversight of relevant federal agencies and programs. More information about its work can be found on its official website. The committee influences federal regulations affecting health and education nationwide and maintains subcommittees focused on specific policy domains for effective oversight.
The full report released by Senator Sanders is available online.
