Trump’s UCLA deal: Pay us $1B+, and we can still cut your grants again

The California Supreme Court has mandated the University of California system to disclose a proposed agreement from the federal government aimed at reinstating research grants previously halted by the Trump administration. This proposal, first introduced in August, had been kept under wraps due to ongoing litigation initiated by UCLA faculty members. Now, following the court's involvement, university officials have released the document, which still bears the labels "draft" and "confidential attorney work product." The proposal outlines demands that align closely with the Trump administration's known priorities, including the elimination of diversity programs and support for transgender individuals, alongside a stringent crackdown on campus protests. However, the most striking aspect of the deal is its financial implications, requiring nearly $1.2 billion to be paid, with UCLA bearing the entire compliance burden. Notably, the terms of the agreement would not prevent the Trump administration from potentially reducing grants for other reasons or imposing further regulations. The proposal is significantly more targeted than a previous list of demands sent to Harvard University, focusing specifically on issues that have frequently captured the administration's attention. These include a requirement for UCLA to abandon any explicit or implicit goals regarding diversity based on race, sex, or ethnicity, effectively dismantling any covert diversity hiring practices. Additionally, the agreement calls for UCLA to implement measures ensuring that no foreign students who might disrupt or harass based on anti-Western, anti-American, or antisemitic sentiments are admitted. The proposal also stipulates that UCLA will create training resources to acclimate international students to a campus environment that champions free inquiry and open debate. Furthermore, the university's affiliated hospital would be prohibited from offering gender-affirming care, while UCLA would not only bar transgender athletes from participating but would also revoke any prior achievements they had earned.