Education Secretary McMahon Urges Universities to Reaffirm Commitment to Public Trust
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has issued a call to action for university presidents and governing boards to publicly reaffirm their commitment to serving the American public. In an open letter, McMahon urged institutions to post statements on their websites by December 31, 2026, detailing reforms aimed at restoring public trust in higher education. The letter highlights the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to address perceived issues in higher education, such as 'wokeness' and lack of transparency. McMahon's letter follows a previous proposal, the Compact for Higher Education, which was rejected by several universities. The current initiative does not include the same demands or incentives as the compact but emphasizes transparency in admissions, free speech, academic rigor, and safeguarding research integrity.