Katherine Knott and Jessica Blake
August 3, 2026
The Association of American Universities and other university leaders consulted on the call to action, which represents a shift in tactics for the administration.
In its latest effort to reform higher ed, the Trump administration called on colleges and universities Monday to publicly answer a set of questions that officials hope will provide more transparency to the American public about how institutions operate and their values.
“This forthright conversation with the American people is long overdue,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote in the letter. “And it is the essential first step toward rebuilding trust in the sector.”
The Trump administration has made no secret of its desire to reshape higher education. Since his first day in office, the president has used funding threats and investigations to demand that universities overhaul admissions, disciplinary processes and academic programs.