Fedrick C. Ingram AFT Secretary-Treasurer | American Federation of Teachers
AFT President Randi Weingarten has spoken out against recent actions by the Trump administration, which she describes as an "arbitrary assault" on higher education institutions under the pretext of combating antisemitism. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), known as the largest higher education union in the United States, is at the forefront of this criticism.
Weingarten stated, "Our union is committed to calling out antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and other kinds of hate. But the recent actions of the Trump administration constitute a modern-day McCarthyism—an assault on universities and knowledge rather than a genuine attempt to make minority groups, this time Jews, safer."
On March 10, letters were sent by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to 60 colleges under investigation for alleged antisemitic discrimination and harassment. These institutions were warned about potential punitive measures that could include withholding research funding. Weingarten expressed concern over these developments: "As educators and unionists committed to ensuring all students can thrive in safe and welcoming environments free from hate and violence, we recognize that rising antisemitism jeopardizes the democratizing project of higher education and the fabric of American society. But these sweeping, arbitrary actions are a witch hunt, not a legitimate probe."
The AFT had previously addressed similar issues in their November 2023 resolution titled 'Condemning Hate and Affirming Freedom of Speech on Campus.' According to Weingarten, U.S. colleges should be places where open discussion is encouraged rather than stifled by investigations that target disfavored speech.
Weingarten also highlighted concerns about threats to research funding: "Furthermore, the actual research being threatened here drives national innovation, and withholding funding will throttle ingenuity and diminish the economic engine of hundreds of college towns."
She emphasized that while certain speech can be harmful or inciteful and needs addressing—as attempted by previous administrations—the current approach does not enhance student safety. She pointed out a specific action taken by Trump's administration: "In fact, the department’s Feb. 14 'Dear Colleague' letter that called for suspension of diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campuses is an attack on opportunity that has only pitted communities against one another."
The AFT has legally challenged this letter in court as part of its efforts to protect students' rights and campus democracy.
Randi Weingarten serves as President alongside Fedrick C. Ingram as Secretary-Treasurer and Evelyn DeJesus as Executive Vice President at AFT.
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