How the Right’s War on Academic Freedom Hides a Darker Mission

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Crooked Media

Society & Culture

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 24 April 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

One of the Republican Party’s most dangerous campaigns is their continued assault on academic freedom. Under the pretense of fighting antisemitism and dismantling “discriminatory” DEI policies, universities across the country are under threat of losing critical funding, and students are being targeted by immigration authorities. From Trump to state governors, attacks are coming from every level of government. In this episode, Stacey is joined by Wesleyan University President Michael Roth and Barnard College Professor Nara Milanich to discuss how our institutions of higher education are pivotal to shaping an informed, innovative, and engaged society, what’s at stake, and what academics and their allies can do to push back. Then, she hears from student journalist and Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Michigan Daily, Zhane Yamin, on how students are weathering this storm. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: Read student newspapers in your community or from your alma mater to stay connected to what is happening on the ground. SOLVE PROBLEMS: If you are part of a college’s community, whether you’re a student, faculty member, staff, or a nearby resident, coming together to raise your voice about your concerns can make a world of difference. DO GOOD: Student journalists need your support weathering these tumultuous times, and hearing from their readers helps tremendously. If you are enjoying their reporting, reach out and let them know!

Transcript

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0:00.0	Assembly required with Stacey Abrams is brought to you by Built.
0:04.0	If you're a renter and have not heard of Built, you're about to thank me.
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0:45.6	towards a future rent payment and unique experiences that only built members can access. So,
0:52.2	if you're not earning points on rent, my question is, why not?
0:57.1	Start earning points on rent that you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com forward slash assembly.
1:05.0	That's j-o-in-b-l-T dot com slash assembly.
1:14.6	And make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you.
1:21.5	Join built.com slash assembly to start earning points on your rent payments today. Welcome to Assembly Required.
1:31.9	I'm your host, Stacey Abrams.
1:34.5	The United States has long been a global leader in higher education.
1:39.7	Our universities, from Ivy League institutions to land grant universities, to HBCUs and HSIs, welcome students
1:49.1	from all over the world and host paradigm-altering research that brings together the brightest minds.
1:55.7	For centuries, America's system of learning has fostered free thought, innovation, and economic
2:02.9	opportunity. However, the Trump administration and Republicans at the federal and state levels
2:09.5	are waging an all-out assault on academic freedom, one that not only threatens our storied
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