Secretary McMahon Endorses "Manhattan Statement" for Higher Education Reform, Citing Taxpayer Investment

Washington D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has publicly commended Christopher Rufo and the Manhattan Institute for their "compelling roadmap to restore integrity and rigor to the American academy." The endorsement, shared via social media, underscores the administration's focus on reforming higher education, emphasizing principles of truth-seeking, free speech, and merit-based processes.

Secretary McMahon highlighted the significant financial stake taxpayers have in the nation's colleges and universities. "Taxpayers underwrite our nation’s system of higher education, sending many billions to U.S colleges and universities," McMahon stated in her tweet. "We have a vested interest in their commitment to truth seeking, free speech, and merit-based hiring and admissions processes."

The "roadmap" referred to by McMahon is likely "The Manhattan Statement on Higher Education," a recent proposal from the conservative think tank. This statement calls for a "new contract" between the federal government and universities, advocating for policies that promote "truth over ideology," "institutional neutrality," and "colorblind equality." It also seeks to abolish Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) bureaucracies and end race-based discrimination in admissions and hiring.

Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, has been a leading voice in the movement to reshape higher education. His work emphasizes restoring academic rigor and ensuring civil discourse on campuses. Rufo and the Manhattan Institute have proposed that universities face "revocation of all public benefit" if they fail to comply with these new standards, particularly regarding the protection of free speech and the enforcement of civil behavior.

The push for these reforms comes amidst ongoing debates about the role of federal funding in shaping university policies and academic freedom. Secretary McMahon, who was confirmed as the 13th Secretary of Education on March 3, 2025, has previously stated her alignment with President Trump's vision to return education oversight to the states and reduce federal bureaucracy. This latest endorsement signals a continued federal focus on leveraging financial influence to drive significant changes across the higher education landscape.