Trump Administration: Follow the Law

February 13, 2025

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Action Summary

Overall Emphasis: Enforce strict adherence to federal law, targeting states and entities that defy executive orders.
Education Department Actions:
- Investigating the California Interscholastic Federation and Minnesota State High School League for non-compliance with the executive order protecting girls in sports.
- Probing allegations of widespread anti-Semitic harassment at five public universities.
Justice Department Lawsuits:
- Suing the State of New York and its top officials over violations of federal immigration laws.
- Filing lawsuits against Illinois and the City of Chicago for implementing “sanctuary” policies.
EPA Oversight: Referring a scheme involving former Biden EPA staffers accused of attempting to hide billions in federal funds from oversight to both the Office of Inspector General and the DOJ.
FCC Investigations:
- Examining Comcast over discriminatory DEI policies following the termination of such policies by executive order.
- Taking action against a radio station for broadcasting locations of undercover federal immigration authorities.
- Launching investigations into NPR and PBS for potential violations of federal laws.
Department of Homeland Security Measures: Reclaiming tens of millions of dollars misused by rogue FEMA officials to fund housing illegal aliens in luxury New York City hotels.

Risks & Considerations

The Trump Administration’s emphasis on strict adherence to federal laws and executive orders could lead to increased scrutiny and potential investigations into educational institutions, including universities, for compliance with federal policies.
Vanderbilt University may need to ensure that its policies, particularly those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), align with federal guidelines to avoid potential investigations or sanctions from federal agencies such as the Department of Education or the Federal Communications Commission.
The focus on immigration laws and sanctuary policies could impact international students and faculty at Vanderbilt, necessitating a review of the university’s policies and support systems for these individuals.
There is a risk that increased federal oversight and legal actions could create an environment of uncertainty and caution, potentially affecting the university’s operations and strategic planning.

Impacted Programs

Office of General Counsel at Vanderbilt may need to increase its vigilance and preparedness for potential legal challenges or compliance reviews related to federal policies.
International Student and Scholar Services might need to enhance its support and guidance for international students and faculty in light of stricter immigration enforcement.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office could face challenges in maintaining its initiatives if federal policies restrict DEI efforts, requiring strategic adjustments to align with new regulations.
Vanderbilt’s partnerships with public schools and other educational entities may need to be reassessed to ensure compliance with federal mandates, particularly those related to gender equality in sports and anti-discrimination policies.

Financial Impact

Potential legal challenges or compliance issues could result in financial costs for Vanderbilt, including legal fees and potential fines or penalties.
Changes in federal funding priorities, particularly those related to immigration and DEI policies, could impact grant opportunities and financial support for certain programs at Vanderbilt.
The university may need to allocate additional resources to ensure compliance with federal regulations, which could affect budget planning and resource allocation.
There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and initiatives that align with the administration’s priorities, such as compliance with federal laws and policies.

Relevance Score: 4 (The actions present a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and policies to ensure compliance with federal mandates.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor the Department of Education’s investigations into compliance with executive orders, particularly those related to sports and anti-Semitic harassment. Understanding these investigations can help the university ensure its policies align with federal expectations and avoid potential scrutiny.
The Vanderbilt Law School should consider offering seminars or workshops on the implications of federal immigration laws and sanctuary policies. This could provide valuable insights for students and faculty on the legal landscape and its impact on state and local governance.
Vanderbilt’s Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program should evaluate the implications of the EPA’s actions regarding financial oversight and accountability. This could be an opportunity to engage in research or policy analysis on environmental governance and financial transparency.
The Department of Communication Studies should analyze the FCC’s investigations into discriminatory DEI policies and media compliance with federal laws. This analysis could inform the university’s own communication strategies and policies.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Immigration Studies should explore the impact of DHS’s actions on immigration policy and funding. This could involve research on the socio-economic effects of such policies and their implications for immigrant communities.

Opportunities

The executive actions present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to engage in research on the effects of federal compliance investigations on educational institutions. This research could contribute to policy development and educational reform discussions.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on legal compliance by developing partnerships with legal and governmental organizations to offer internships and experiential learning opportunities for students interested in public policy and law.
The emphasis on financial oversight and accountability offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management to conduct case studies or develop courses on financial ethics and governance in public institutions.
By engaging with the broader legal and educational community, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in discussions on compliance and governance. Hosting conferences or public forums on these topics can enhance the university’s reputation as a thought leader.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order suggests some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to ensure compliance and capitalize on research opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 3

Timeline for Implementation

N/A: No specific timeline or deadline was provided within the directive; the actions are described as already underway with investigations and lawsuits initiated.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Education: Launched investigations into the California Interscholastic Federation, Minnesota State High School League, and five public universities for failing to comply with the executive order protecting girls in sports and addressing anti-Semitic harassment.
Department of Justice (DOJ): Filed lawsuits against the State of New York, the State of Illinois, and the City of Chicago for non-compliance with federal immigration laws, and is involved in action related to the EPA referrals.
Environmental Protection Administration: Announced referrals to the Office of Inspector General and the DOJ regarding misallocation of federal funds by outgoing EPA staffers.
Office of Inspector General: Received referrals from the Environmental Protection Administration concerning the mishandling of billions in federal funds.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Initiated investigations into Comcast for discriminatory DEI policies, a radio station for broadcasting sensitive immigration enforcement data, and is probing NPR and PBS for potential legal violations.
Department of Homeland Security: Acted to claw back funds misappropriated by rogue FEMA officials used to house illegal aliens in New York City hotels.
State of New York: Targeted by the DOJ for willful failure to comply with federal immigration laws.
State of Illinois: Sued by the DOJ over non-compliance with federal immigration policies.
City of Chicago: Named in DOJ lawsuits concerning its sanctuary policies.

Relevance Score: 3 (A moderate number of Federal, State, and local government organizations are directly impacted by the actions described.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Education – Tasked with overseeing the investigations into compliance with the executive order, including probes into sports organizations and addressing issues of anti-Semitic harassment at public universities.
Attorney General (Department of Justice) – Responsible for initiating legal action against state and municipal officials over defiance of federal immigration laws and “sanctuary” policies.
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Administration – Charged with referring matters related to the misdirection of federal funding and holding former staff accountable.
Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission – Implementing actions against regulated entities for discriminatory policies and breaches of federal law.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Overseeing the recovery of funds improperly disbursed by rogue FEMA officials.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives affect agency heads with significant responsibility for compliance and enforcement.)