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The Trump administration is expanding efforts to examine foreign influence at U.S. colleges and universities, announcing Monday that the State Department will assist the Department of Education in enforcing federal disclosure requirements.
President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding from universities over issues including pro-Palestinian protests related to Israel’s war in Gaza, transgender policies, climate initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Those warnings have prompted concerns from critics about free speech and academic freedom.
In April 2025, Trump issued an executive order directing stricter enforcement of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act. The provision requires colleges and universities that receive federal funds to report foreign gifts or contracts valued at more than $250,000. In December, the Education Department launched a new reporting portal intended to streamline those disclosures.
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers said the State Department will now contribute national security expertise to the effort.
“The Department of State will be applying our national security expertise and our expertise countering foreign malign influence to bolster oversight efforts by the Department of Education,” Rogers told reporters during a briefing.
She said the goal is to strengthen compliance and transparency, though officials did not provide specific examples of foreign funding improperly influencing academic institutions.
Congress has previously scrutinized foreign funding in higher education. A 2019 report from a Senate investigations subcommittee highlighted concerns about China’s role in U.S. academic programs and research partnerships, prompting renewed attention to Section 117 reporting requirements.
According to the Education Department, colleges and universities disclosed about 8,300 foreign funding transactions in 2025 totaling $5.2 billion. The largest reported source of funding was Qatar at $1.1 billion, followed by the United Kingdom at $633 million and China at $528 million.
Trump administration officials said the expanded interagency effort is aimed at ensuring institutions fully comply with federal law and that foreign financial ties are publicly disclosed.