Education Groups React to Trump's Inauguration: A Spectrum of Responses

The inauguration of President-elect Trump has evoked a wide range of reactions from educational institutions and college-affiliated groups. These responses encompass mental health support, guidance for international students, and organized demonstrations.

Closures and Commemorations

Many schools are closed on Inauguration Day, January 20, coinciding with the federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. This convergence prompts reflection on Dr. King's legacy of justice, equity, and transformative action, especially in light of the potential impact of the new administration's policies on marginalized communities.

Mental Health Support

Some schools are offering mental health advice in anticipation of the inauguration. Emory University's Rollin School of Public Health, for example, published an interview with clinical psychologist Rachel Waford, providing guidance on managing "anxiety" during presidential transitions. The article acknowledges that many Americans are experiencing a mix of emotions as Trump prepares to start his second term as President of the United States and that for some, a second Trump administration is stirring up fear and anxiety. Waford suggests limiting exposure to social media and news outlets and focusing on community engagement and social support. After Trump won the presidential election in November, Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy offered a "Self-Care Suite" at school, while Northwestern University offered a "post-election wellness space" that provided puzzles, snacks, and "brain break activities" for students.

Guidance for International Students

Several universities, including Cornell University, the University of Southern California (USC), Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Penn State, have issued travel notices to international students before the inauguration, claiming that Trump's plans to crack down on illegal immigration could impact them. Cornell University's Office of Global Learning warned students that "a travel ban is likely to go into effect soon after inauguration," potentially affecting citizens of countries previously targeted by the Trump administration, as well as potentially including new countries like China and India. USC emphasized the importance of heeding travel advisories given the potential for executive orders impacting travel to the US and visa processing.

Protests and Demonstrations

Several anti-Israel college groups in Chicago are planning demonstrations. The University of Illinois Chicago's Students for Justice in Palestine (SJPUIC) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) chapters intend to hold an anti-Israel protest, according to social media posts. SJPUIC wrote in a post on Instagram that the groups will reportedly meet to "fight back against Trump’s racist and reactionary program".

School District Responses

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has directed teachers to evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they show up to schools. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stated that "We will not allow any law enforcement entity to take any type of immigration action against our students or their families within our care".

Student Perspectives

Mandy Zhang ’27, co-president of the Harvard College Democrats, initially hesitated to watch the inauguration but ultimately did so to fulfill her leadership responsibilities. She reported feeling "angry a bit, just by some of his rhetoric and the policies that he was going to propose.” Michael Oved ’25, former president of the Harvard Republicans Club, viewed the inauguration as "a sign of a wonderful four years to come,” signaling “a tremendous shift from the administration that preceded him" and emphasizing the importance of putting America first. Sylvie S. Wurmser ’27 described watching the inauguration as a “somber” experience, feeling "a little bit embarrassed for America." Jack W.H. Tueting focused on the potential impact of Trump's actions on vulnerable groups.

Reactions to Executive Orders

In Georgia, Wursmer woke up to the deluge of executive orders Trump signed into office and said Trump’s decision to effectively leave the Paris Climate Agreement and end the Green New Deal “is not the direction we need to be heading in” during the next four years. She was also shocked by his productivity because she felt in the last political election after he came in, he was a little bit incompetent. As students return to Cambridge, interviewees anticipate negative reactions from their peers, whose political views generally lean liberal. Tueting believes that the student body at large is going to react very negatively to both this inauguration and the first few days of the new administration. Oved encouraged his peers to approach Trump’s presidency with an open mind and hopes that his peers are rooting for America’s success during the next four years, just as much as he is.

Gibson Dunn Analysis of Executive Orders Impacting Higher Education

Gibson Dunn lawyers are available to assist in addressing any questions you may have about executive orders and their implications for institutions of higher education. New Trump administration policies require colleges and universities to take careful stock of a large swath of their operations ranging from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and activities, to programs for which they receive federal funding, to immigration policies, to government contracts, to how they are combatting antisemitism, to their involvement with China. Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” rescinded Executive Order 11246, which imposed affirmative action obligations on federal contractors in addition to non-discrimination requirements. Executive Order 14151, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” directs agencies to review federal grantees who received funding since January 20, 2021 to advance DEI or environmental justice programs. The Department of Education published a letter clarifying the nondiscrimination obligations of schools and other entities that receive federal funding from the Department, criticizing admissions and financial aid policies based on race, as well as programming, such as race-based graduation ceremonies and facilities. Executive Order 14188, “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,” directs executive branch agencies to identify all civil and criminal authorities under their jurisdiction to combat anti-Semitism and encourages the Attorney General to pursue cases through the Department’s civil-rights enforcement authorities. Institutions of higher education that receive federal funding should monitor Trump administration actions that may delay the release of those funds. Executive Order 14159, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to set immigration enforcement priorities based on public safety. Acting Secretary of DHS Bejamine Huffman issued a directive advancing this EO, rescinding the Biden Administration’s guidelines for immigration enforcement actions near “sensitive” areas, including schools.

The Mockingbird Society's Perspective

At The Mockingbird Society, they understand that moments of national change bring both profound challenges and opportunities to reimagine what is possible. This year, the convergence of Inauguration Day with Martin Luther King Jr. Day compels us to reflect deeply on Dr. King’s enduring legacy of justice, equity, and transformative action. In his inaugural speech, President Trump outlined initiatives that threaten to deepen inequities and disproportionately harm marginalized communities. These policies are intertwined with systemic racism, and will only perpetuate existing disparities in housing, education, and justice. Despite these challenges, they firmly believe that transformation is possible and that it begins with embracing our shared humanity, nurturing relationships, and taking purposeful action.

Teacher and Administrator Preparations

Based on EdSource interviews with dozens of teachers and administrators throughout the state, district officials say they’re expecting some reaction to the inauguration. In some classrooms, that might amount to a discussion about the peaceful transition of power. In San Francisco Unified, a district memo reminded teachers not to endorse any political flyers or encourage students to walk out. Teachers at Long Beach Unified were urged to engage students in class discussions that are “respectful, appropriate and informative,” according to district spokesman Chris Eftychiou. AP government and history teacher Jeremy Adams told his students they need to watch the inauguration - whether they love or dislike the guy coming into the office. Bryan Shaw, government teacher at Mt. Hebron High School in Ellicott City, Maryland, wants to provide his students the ability to see a peaceful transition of power and hear directly from the next president.

Student Protests and Walkouts

Protests began on Thursday in some areas. Teachers unions in Los Angeles and the Bay Area staged rallies at about a dozen campuses for students, teachers and parents to voice their support for public education. Despite DeVos’ support for charters, at least a few charter organizations are urging protests as well. Caliber Schools, with campuses in Richmond and Vallejo, is sending 12 middle school students and eight teachers to the Women’s March on Saturday in Washington, D.C. On Jan. 28, Jalysa, a 17-year-old student at William C. Overfelt High School in East San Jose, California, led a walkout during sixth period. The students chanted “Si, se puede,” “La raza si, la migra no” and “Hey hey, ho ho, ICE has got to go” while waving Mexican flags. They were escorted by grassroots community groups Jalysa had reached out to, who came to show support and act as security. The students at Overfelt High School are among thousands across the country, from California to Iowa, Texas and Maryland, who have walked out to protest ICE and show solidarity with immigrants in their communities. The walkouts began in early 2025 after Trump’s inauguration, and the tactic reemerged in January following the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the arrest of five-year-old Liam Ramos by federal immigration agents in Minnesota. Mostly led by juniors and seniors, the students organize on Instagram pages and group chats. The Jan. 28 walkout at Overfelt High School marked the first anniversary of a walkout Jalysa organized on Instagram after Trump took office in 2025, inspired by videos of other student walkouts. Other coalitional efforts are in the works, like California Youth Unite, a group of students from more than 30 schools around the state organizing a walkout on Feb. 27. The coalition works in collaboration with Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and advocates for an end to policing and surveillance in addition to advocating for immigrant justice. Chew hopes to continue building the network of schools and youth with recurring walkouts, not just a one-time action, and by expanding to offer mutual aid in the community.

Repercussions and Support

While Jalysa received support from the Overfelt High School administration for the walkouts, Jaide Kaltenthaler, a 17-year-old student at Rosamond High School in Southern California, had a different experience. After a week of promoting it on social media daily, around 100 students had pledged to join. Dozens of Rosamond High School students in Southern California walked out on Feb. 3. After the walkout, no students faced repercussions. Rojas said many teachers were supportive and said they were proud of the students. Meanwhile, students and faculty at other schools have seen repercussions. In a Virginia high school, 303 students were suspended for participating in a walkout (they responded by walking out again), and another 100 were suspended in a high school in Oklahoma. The attorney general of Texas launched investigations in four school districts, including Dallas and San Antonio, to see if teachers or administrators facilitated the protests.

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