Trump administration proposes stripping tax-exempt status from schools using race-based programs
The Trump administration proposed new regulations on Thursday to revoke the tax-exempt status of private schools and colleges if they use race in admissions, scholarships or other school-administered programs, the latest effort by the federal government to root out diversity initiatives in education. The rules, proposed by the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service, aim to end what administration officials argue is discrimination against white students in favor of students of color. “Schools rebranding race-based preferences as equitable, inclusive, or diversity-enhancing does not change their discriminatory nature,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. The proposal follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 Students for Fair Admissions decisions, which prohibited most race-conscious admissions policies at colleges and universities. DOJ OPENS PROBE INTO PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGE OVER ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION FAVORING MINORITY STUDENTS Admissions, educational policies, scholarships and loans, athletics and “every other school-administered or school-supported program” would be covered by the Treasury’s proposal. It would apply to any program that considers race, color, or national or ethnic origin “for any purpose,” including efforts to address past racial discrimination. The Treasury estimated that the rules could impact as many as 18,000 schools at all education levels and 750,000 students who could be affected because they may qualify for race-based scholarships. The proposal would not prevent private schools from having a religious mission, curriculum or program. Religious schools could continue to choose students based on religious affiliation, according to the Treasury. The Treasury also said the proposal would not prohibit schools from helping disadvantaged students using race-neutral criteria, including income, geography or first-generation status. The new proposal is subject to a public comment period and would likely spark legal challenges if adopted. The American Association of University Professors, which advocates for academic freedom and has sued the administration to block funding cuts in the past, said it is considering legal action against the proposal. “This is not neutral enforcement of civil-rights law. It is an affirmative attempt to turn civil-rights law against the very people it was enacted to protect,” AAUP President Todd Wolfson said in a statement. “For half a century, federal policy recognized that measures intended to dismantle entrenched racial exclusion are not equivalent to policies designed to preserve it.” DOJ OPENS PROBE INTO HARVARD’S FINANCIAL AID FOR ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICAN STUDENTS The administration has sought to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies in K-12 schools and higher education since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. In addition to DEI, the administration has targeted educational institutions across the nation for issues such as race-based admissions and scholarships and alleged antisemitism on campus. Trump has singled out Harvard University in particular for federal funding cuts, investigations and threats to the institution’s tax-exempt status. Reuters contributed to this report.
PIL filed in Uttarakhand High Court seeking independent probe into Haldwani ‘purification’ incident
The petition, which has been filed by Dehradun-based lawyer Baijnath Chauhan, is scheduled for hearing before a Division Bench of the High Court on September 7.
‘Govt committed to ensuring that fugitives are brought back to India to face law’: MEA
Answering queries on the extradition of Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the Punjab National Bank loan fraud case, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said the fugitive was arrested by the Belgian authorities in April last year and has been in a Belgian jail since then.
ISRO successfully launches GSLV-F17 rocket carrying imaging satellite EOS-05 from Sriharikota
GSLV-F17 carrying ISRO earth observation satellite EOS-05 launched successfully at 2:55 am from Sriharikota Satish Dhawan Space Centre. EOS-05 was placed in a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit, the heaviest satellite carried by GSLV.
GSLV-F17 Launch: PM Modi lauds ISRO, says mission ‘reflects excellence and growing capabilities’
The GSLV-F17 vehicle successfully and precisely injected EOS-05, also known as the geo-imaging star satellite, into its intended orbit, marking another milestone for India’s space programme, ISRO chief V Narayanan announced on Thursday.
1 in 5 Texans experience food insecurity as food banks struggle to keep up with demand
More Texans have become food insecure due to a rise in natural disasters and less qualifying for SNAP benefits. Rural food banks in particular face additional pressures.
ICE officer in Texas-Minnesota fight turns himself in to face shooting charges, AP reports
Christian Castro, who is accused of lying about the incident, was released from a Texas jail last week after Gov. Greg Abbott declined to sign extradition papers from Minnesota.
Comptroller requests doubling Texas school voucher program to $2 billion
This is the first year for education savings accounts, which allow Texas families to use taxpayer dollars for private or home schooling.
Tesla launches steering-wheel-free Cybercabs in Austin
It is unclear how soon Elon Musk intends to roll out service of the futuristic-looking, gold-colored taxis that passengers have no way of controlling in an emergency.
US military took down approximately 100 suspected cartel drones at southern border in August
EXCLUSIVE – The U.S. military provided rare insight into its operations at the southern border Thursday, revealing that it took down “approximately 100” suspected cartel drones in August alone, a senior War Department official confirmed to Fox News. The disclosure marks the first time the Pentagon has revealed how frequently counter-drone technology, including sophisticated laser systems, is being used at the southern border to stop suspected cartel drones from entering the U.S. According to a senior War Department official, Task Force–Southern Border carried out the drone takedowns using specialized counter-drone equipment provided and integrated by other military units. Each operation was planned and closely coordinated with the Mexican military and border authorities to prevent interference or unintended conflicts between forces operating on either side of the border, the official said. INSIDE AMERICA’S LASER REVOLUTION AS THE MILITARY NEARS BIG BATTLEFIELD BREAKTHROUGH The operations are part of a broader effort to rapidly deploy defenses against drones, combining multiple technologies with trained personnel and updated military authorities. The official emphasized that the military is not relying on a single “silver bullet” system to counter the threat. The Pentagon told Fox News that the U.S. has been using counter-drone technology to assist with security operations at the border. “The United States is employing defensive counter-drone technology to protect our personnel and border security operations from cartel-linked drone threats,” Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said. TRUMP ADMIN MARKS 15 STRAIGHT MONTHS WITH ZERO BORDER RELEASES AS APPREHENSIONS PLUNGE 94% “These actions are closely coordinated with Mexican military and border authorities to ensure safety and deconfliction on both sides of the border,” Wilson added. The revelation comes as the Trump administration continues to use military force against cartels across the Western Hemisphere, including lethal strikes against alleged drug traffickers. Earlier this week, senior administration officials touted President Donald Trump’s use of military force during a press call. “So, the president directed, the Department of War executed, the first ever plan and strategy to use direct military force to defend the homeland from this threat,” one official said. “The effects have been spectacular, and we’ve seen the largest and steepest reduction in U.S. casualties inflicted by the cartels in American history,” the official added. Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.