The order requires universities to report details of foreign funding received, especially from countries with potential national security implications such as China and Russia.

The purpose of the executive order is to enhance the protection of universities and educational institutions from interference by foreign states, while minimizing risks related to information security and strategic threats.

Schools will be required to provide full information on grants and collaborative research with these countries, and report on relationships with foreign institutions.

The Trump administration said universities that receive funding from foreign countries will face the possibility of having their federal funding cut if they fail to comply with the requirements. The move is part of a broader government strategy to protect national interests and limit foreign influence in education, research and development.

The executive order will impact not only universities but also students and researchers with international connections. The administration believes that transparency about foreign funding will help maintain the independence and safety of the US education system in an increasingly complex international situation.

Executive orders to restructure American education

President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on the afternoon of April 23 aimed at restructuring and reorganizing the Department of Education. The orders came a week after his administration announced a $2.2 billion funding freeze for Harvard University, sparking a major conflict over academic freedom, federal funding, and campus oversight.

The order aims to reform the university accreditation process, emphasizing efficiency and academic results over factors such as “woke ideology.” The administration argues that universities should focus on the quality of actual education and reduce political elements in the curriculum.

The moves reflect the Trump administration’s efforts to restructure the higher education system, increase oversight of foreign funding and reform accreditation processes to ensure educational quality and protect national security.

He also signed an executive order aimed at ensuring schools train students in the use of artificial intelligence.

“It’s a big deal,” Trump said as he signed the order. “We have literally trillions of dollars invested in AI ,” he added.

White House Press Secretary Will Scharf said ahead of the signing that the executive order ensures that institutions properly train American children and young people in AI tools so they can compete in an economy where AI is increasingly dominant.

“Someone today, a very smart person, said that AI is the way to the future. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but certainly, very smart people are investing in it,” President Trump said.