The Biden-Harris administration is under fire for allegedly weaponizing the Department of Education (DOE) to disproportionately target Christian colleges and universities. According to a report by the American Principles Project (APP), the DOE’s resurrected Office of Enforcement has imposed unprecedented fines and created what some describe as a hostile regulatory environment for faith-based institutions.
The APP report highlights actions that appear to conflict with President Joe Biden’s earlier assurances of protecting religious freedoms. Before taking office, then-President-elect Biden stated that safeguarding freedom of religion was paramount, emphasizing that no one should feel unsafe attending a religious school or service. However, critics argue that his administration’s actions have not aligned with this sentiment.
Since Biden reinstated the DOE’s Office of Enforcement, the agency has levied substantial fines against faith-based schools. These penalties dwarf those imposed on other institutions, including state-run and Ivy League universities.
Two major Christian universities, Grand Canyon University (GCU) and Liberty University, have faced record-setting fines of $37.7 million and $14 million, respectively. These penalties exceed the combined fines imposed on public universities like Penn State and Michigan State for high-profile sexual abuse scandals.
GCU’s fine, described as the largest of its kind, was reportedly issued for not adequately disclosing costs for its doctoral programs—students representing less than 5% of its enrollment. GCU has strongly denied the allegations, emphasizing that its marketing practices have been described as “clear and transparent” by independent accreditors.
In a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, GCU President Brian Mueller called the accusations “incredulous,” noting the university’s efforts to keep tuition flat for 15 years and its comparatively low student debt rates. His request for dialogue with the DOE appears to have been ignored.
The APP report suggests these actions are part of a broader effort to marginalize institutions that resist progressive ideologies, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ policies and gender identity. The DOE’s actions have extended to restricting federal student aid for Christian colleges and imposing fines for Clery Act violations that significantly exceed those imposed on public and private secular institutions.
The average fine for a Clery Act violation at Christian schools was $815,000, compared to $228,571 for other institutions. Furthermore, the report notes that no Ivy League school has faced comparable penalties.
The criticism of the DOE’s actions is not limited to the fines. The Biden administration has rolled back protections for religious student groups and introduced policies that critics say restrict religious expression on campuses. The APP report describes these efforts as an assault on religious liberty, eroding traditional values in higher education.
This campaign comes amid broader concerns about federal overreach into religious communities. Earlier this year, a leaked FBI memo described “radical traditionalist Catholic ideology” as a growing threat, suggesting the agency had reached out to Catholic leaders to monitor religious activities. This revelation, combined with the DOE’s enforcement actions, has heightened concerns about the administration’s stance on faith-based institutions.
Originally created under the Obama administration, the Office of Enforcement was resurrected by Biden with a nearly 600% budget increase last year. This year, the office requested another 230% increase in funding. Critics claim this expansion has enabled the agency to target faith-based schools while turning a blind eye to violations at elite public and private institutions.
The office operates under the guise of protecting students from “predatory” colleges and universities. However, APP’s data shows that nearly 70% of enforcement actions have targeted faith-based or career-focused schools, which collectively represent less than 10% of the student population.
While the administration has positioned its enforcement efforts as protecting students, the penalties imposed on Christian schools stand in stark contrast to its handling of other institutions. For example, state-run universities and Ivy League schools with similar or worse compliance issues have faced far less scrutiny and financial repercussions.
The aggressive actions against Christian colleges have raised questions about the administration’s priorities and the role of federal agencies in shaping higher education. Critics warn that the DOE’s enforcement strategy could have long-term consequences, including the financial collapse of faith-based institutions that refuse to conform to progressive ideologies.
With the holiday season approaching, these controversies are likely to amplify ongoing cultural debates about religious freedom, federal overreach, and the politicization of education.
The Biden administration’s DOE enforcement strategy has sparked outrage among religious and conservative communities. By imposing disproportionate fines and rolling back protections for faith-based institutions, critics argue the administration is undermining its stated commitment to religious freedom.
As the debate continues, the question remains: will faith-based schools be able to withstand the financial and regulatory pressure, or is this part of a broader effort to reshape the landscape of higher education in America?
🚨 #BREAKING: We now know the FBI, relying on information derived from at least one 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 employee, sought to use local religious organizations as “new avenues for tripwire and source development.” pic.twitter.com/97veIGtvq4
— Weaponization Committee (@Weaponization) April 10, 2023
