Northwestern’s president resigns as school fights White House

Northwestern’s president resigns as school fights White House

Northwestern University's president, Morton Schapiro, has resigned amidst escalating tensions with the White House. The resignation comes as the university faces significant political pressure and potential federal funding cuts. Schapiro's departure follows a series of high-profile incidents where elite colleges and universities have been targeted by President Donald Trump's administration.

The White House has been actively targeting these institutions, leading to a significant increase in lobbying expenses. According to a CNN analysis, the targeted schools have collectively spent 122% more on lobbying in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Nine of the 14 institutions more than doubled their spending since last year [1].

Northwestern University, a key target, has spent nearly $1.4 million on lobbyists so far this year, as negotiations toward a potential settlement continue [1]. The university has also been hiring lobbyists with close ties to the Trump administration. For instance, Brian Ballard, who raised over $50 million for Trump's 2024 campaign, has been hired by both Harvard and Michigan [1].

Schapiro's resignation is the latest in a series of responses from universities targeted by the administration. Earlier this year, the University of Michigan ended its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs amid student protests and President Santa Ono's resignation [1]. Brown University has also reported increased lobbying expenses, spending $270,000 in the second quarter of 2025, a 286% increase compared to the same period last year [1].

The University of California system has been the leading spender, with over $2 million in lobbying expenses this year alone [1]. The administration is seeking a $1 billion settlement from the University of California, Los Angeles [1].

The increased lobbying expenses reflect a strategic shift by these universities to mitigate potential damage from federal policies. Jodie Ferise, a higher education attorney and former lobbyist, noted that the spike in spending is both unique and unsurprising given the broad range of attacks on higher education [1].

Schapiro's resignation and the increased lobbying efforts underscore the political and financial pressures faced by these institutions. The strategic allocation of funds to lobbyists is seen as a necessary cost of doing business in the current political climate. However, the effectiveness of these efforts remains to be seen.

References:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/04/politics/lobbying-colleges-universities-trump-targets-vis