‘Vile Racism’: Trump Administration freezed $ 108 million in research funding to Duke University; Admission, recruitment practices banned

The Donald Trump Administration has suspended the Duke University $ 108 million into federal research funding, alleging that the institution is engaged in racial discrimination through positive action policies. The step marks a rapid increase in the rift of administration on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in major American universities, which officials say the amount for illegal racial preferences.Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services and Education issued a joint letter accusing Duke University of using racial preferences in its recruitment and admission processes.Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior and Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the alleged practices as “Vile racism”, warning that if confirmed, they would make the Duke disqualified for any other financial relations with the federal government. ” The letter claims that Duke gave benefits on the basis of recruitment, scholarship and race to hiring, although it does not provide specific examples.The letter said, “When practice is practiced by individuals, racism is a crisis, but it is particularly corrosive when lies in the most prestigious and respected institutions in the country,” the letter said, as quoted by the AP.The administration is demanding the establishment of a new qualification and civil rights committee approved by the federal government and the trustees of the school to identify and abolish any race-based practices. If the violation continues after six months, the administration said it would pursue legal enforcement.The Department of Education has opened an investigation in favor of potential editors of underputed groups in the Duke Law Journal.Duke is the latest university under the federal inquiry as part of the administration’s effort to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices, arguing the amount for discrimination against white and Asian American individuals. Other universities under investigation include Harvard, Columbia and Cornell.Funding freeze comes at a difficult time for financially duke. About 60% of its annual research expenses of $ 1.5 billion come from federal sources. University officials recently announced that around 600 employees had accepted voluntary procurement, but would require additional layoffs due to uncertainty around federal funding and high settlement taxes.The Trump administration has used money pressure for reforms in major universities. The University of Columbia recently agreed to pay $ 200 million to pay $ 200 million and to amend its policies on students discipline in exchange for continuous access to federal research funding. The deal is being quoted by the authorities as a model for other institutions including Harvard.Duke has not yet released a public remarks on allegations or funding suspensions.