#Uspolitics

A growing wave of conservative-led interventions is reshaping American higher education far beyond Harvard University, provoking a national debate about the future of academic governance, academic freedom, and the boundaries between politics and the classroom. Recent research and news reports highlight a coordinated effort by conservative policymakers at both state and federal levels, aiming to exert greater control over public and private universities, particularly over issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, curriculum standards, and the tenure of teaching staff.

A wave of conservative governance efforts in the United States is reshaping higher education beyond elite campuses. The push targets DEI programs, curriculum standards, and faculty tenure, raising questions about academic freedom and the line between politics and the classroom. While headlines spotlight top universities, changes extend to many state and private institutions, including who runs campuses and how programs are chosen.

For Thai readers, the topic matters because the United States remains a global benchmark for higher education. Thai students, parents, and university leaders watch U.S. developments for lessons on governance, funding, and curriculum direction. As Thai institutions navigate debates over academic freedom and political influence, understanding U.S. shifts helps contextualize local policy discussions.

Las Vegas, once celebrated as the playground for everyday Americans and international thrill-seekers, is experiencing a significant downturn in visitor numbers due to what many are calling “ridiculous prices” and hidden fees. New data for 2025 reveal a 6.5% drop in tourists compared to the previous year, with airport traffic and gaming revenue both sliding—trends experts blame on a combination of economic uncertainty and escalating costs of a Vegas holiday (The Times).

A sweeping funding freeze by the U.S. federal Title X family planning program has left key healthcare providers, including three Planned Parenthood clinics in Virginia, without critical support. The sudden move, announced in late March, raises concerns about access to affordable reproductive health services for low-income Americans. The policy shift could affect millions who rely on the half-century-old program for contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing, and pregnancy care.

Title X, established by Congress in 1970 and administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, funds a nationwide network of clinics that serve low-income and uninsured individuals with free or sliding-scale reproductive health care. Nationally, 297 Planned Parenthood clinics participate in Title X, with the freeze affecting clinics in multiple states and knocking out access in some communities altogether. Data from public health researchers show that in states where Title X providers form a backbone of care, people face longer wait times and reduced access to essential services.

The United States is currently examining its federally funded human data repositories in response to an executive order that reevaluates the inclusion of gender identity descriptors. As reported by The Transmitter, the initiative aims to align with Executive Order 14168, signed by President Trump in January, which mandates the exclusion of gender identity considerations inconsistent with an individual’s sex assigned at birth. This development raises questions about the future scope of research involving gender and health, affecting both U.S. data policies and potentially influencing global research paradigms, including in countries like Thailand.