The Donald Trump administration has suspended $108 million in federal research funding to Duke University, accusing the institution of engaging in racial discrimination through affirmative action policies. The move marks a sharp escalation in the administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at major US universities, which officials say amount to unlawful racial preferences.Earlier this week, the departments of health and human services and education issued a joint letter accusing Duke University of using racial preferences in its hiring and admissions processes.Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and education secretary Linda McMahon described the alleged practices as “vile racism,” warning that if substantiated, they would make Duke “unfit for any further financial relationship with the federal government.” The letter claims Duke gave advantages based on race in recruiting, scholarships, and hiring, though it does not provide specific examples.“Racism is a scourge when practiced by individuals, but it is especially corrosive when enshrined in the nation’s most eminent and respected institutions,” the letter said, as cited by AP.The administration is demanding Duke establish a new merit and civil rights committee, approved by the federal government and the school’s board of trustees, to identify and eliminate any race-based practices. If violations persist after six months, the administration said it will pursue legal enforcement.The education department has also opened an investigation into the Duke Law Journal for allegedly favoring prospective editors from underrepresented groups.Duke is the latest university to come under federal scrutiny as part of the administration’s effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, which it argues amount to discrimination against white and Asian American individuals. Other universities under investigation include Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell.The funding freeze comes at a difficult time for Duke financially. Nearly 60% of its $1.5 billion annual research spending comes from federal sources. University officials recently announced that around 600 employees had accepted voluntary buyouts, but additional layoffs would still be required due to uncertainty around federal funding and higher endowment taxes.The Trump administration has used funding pressure to prompt reforms at major universities. Columbia University recently agreed to pay $200 million and revise its policies on admissions, hiring, and student discipline in exchange for continued access to federal research funding. The deal is being cited by officials as a model for other institutions, including Harvard.Duke has not yet issued a public comment on the allegations or the funding suspension.
