Donald Trump took the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States a month ago. In that time, he and his administration have made bold steps to follow through on campaign promises to overhaul the federal government.
With elected Democrats in Oregon and Washington largely opposed to Trump’s efforts, regional leaders have often joined immediate steps to block the federal changes.
Here’s a look at Trump’s moves regarding K-12 and higher education from the past few weeks.
Jan. 20, 2025 (Inauguration Day)
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Pool/AP
Trump signs executive orders rescinding protections and student success initiatives for LGBTQ, Hispanic, Black and Indigenous students.
Jan. 21, 2025
Trump executive order rescinds Biden-era memo barring federal immigration officials from enforcement at sensitive areas. The action opened up K-12 schools and higher education institutions to possible immigration raids. Officials in Oregon responded in the days that followed by advising students and faculty of school protocols and steps they can take in response.
Another executive order signed by Trump zeroed in on diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs at colleges and universities. The order directs federal agencies to identify institutions “with endowments over $1 billion” as potential targets for “civil compliance investigations.”
Jan. 23, 2025
The U.S. Department of Education eliminates DEI initiatives within the agency. Education Department DEI staff are put on paid leave.
The National Institutes of Health pauses grant reviews, including projects from higher education institutions. Oregon colleges and universities receive hundreds of millions in NIH grants, with medical research funding at Oregon Health and Science University as the state’s lead recipient.
Jan. 27, 2025
People protest against a funding freeze of federal grants and loans following a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding near to the White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025.
Ben Curtis / AP
Trump administration orders a freeze on all federal grants and loans. Oregon lawmakers and organizations scrambled to make sense of the directive and how it could affect educational programs such as Head Start.
The National Science Foundation pauses grant reviews and funding, including projects and research taking place at universities.
Jan. 28, 2025
A federal judge temporarily blocks the funding freeze, after it was challenged by 22 states, including Oregon.
Jan. 29, 2025
After a confusing two days with a blanket funding freeze in place, the Trump administration rescinds the pause.
The U.S. Department of Defense bans DEI-based admissions and other equity related policies and programs at military academies.
Jan. 31, 2025
Education Department announces move to enforce the Trump administration’s 2020 Title IX rule. The department said it “will return to enforcing Title IX protections on the basis of biological sex in schools and on campuses.”
Feb. 2, 2025
The National Science Foundation restores grant payment portal.
Feb. 3, 2025
The Branford Price Millar Library at Portland State University, where hundreds of people attended a pro-Palestinian protest, April 29, 2024.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
Trump administration targets Portland State University and four other universities for alleged antisemitism. The investigation of PSU is related to last year’s campus protests against the war in Gaza.
Feb. 5, 2025
President Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women's or girls' sporting events, in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. The Trump administration has unleashed a flurry of cuts and changes to government programs in the last month.
Alex Brandon / AP
Trump executive order bars transgender women from participating in K-12, higher education women’s sports. Education officials in the Pacific Northwest push back.
Feb. 7, 2025
The National Institutes of Health rolls out a new funding policy capping indirect research costs to 15%, risking significant cuts to higher education institutions across the country, including in Oregon.
Oregon’s U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat, and about 20 other Congressional Democrats gathered at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C. on Feb. 7, 2025 to meet with the acting director. Instead, they found the building locked and doors blocked by federal agents.
Courtesy of Brendan O'Hara via Rep. Bonamici's office
The Department of Governmental Efficiency denies multiple members of Congress entry to the U.S. Department of Education building, including U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon.
Feb. 10, 2025
A federal judge temporarily blocks NIH funding cuts, in response to a lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and 21 other states.
Education Department cancels contracts with The Institute of Education Sciences, an independent agency that researches and analyzes data related to K-12 and higher education.
Feb. 13, 2025
The Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights prioritizes Trump investigations, including antisemitism allegations at colleges such as Portland State, according to reporting by ProPublica. The move suggests other efforts, such as a Biden-era investigation into alleged islamophobia at PSU, are a lower priority.
Education Department cancels additional contracts at Regional Education Laboratories and Equity Assistance Centers. Included in these cuts was an Oregon Department of Education project that aimed to strengthen literacy instruction throughout the state.
Linda McMahon appears for confirmation hearing for Education Secretary.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau student loan ombudsman Julia Barnard receives termination notice, according to court documents.
Feb. 14, 2025
Trump administration threatens colleges' federal funding with new, additional DEI guidance. According to reporting by Willamette Week, at least four Oregon colleges were maintaining their commitments to equity initiatives.
Feb. 17, 2025
Education Department announces cuts to DEI-focused teacher training grants.
Feb. 18, 2025
Federal judge allows DOGE access to Education Department databases, including sensitive student data.
Natalie Pate and Rob Manning contributed to this story.
