Fulbright Board Mass Resignation Protests Trump Interference

A mass resignation has shaken the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, with nearly all members stepping down in protest of what they describe as undue interference from the Trump administration. Former board members allege the administration bypassed established procedures and overruled their selections, denying scholarships to a “substantial number” of pre-approved candidates. This unprecedented action raises serious concerns about the politicization of a program historically lauded for fostering international educational exchange and goodwill. The departures signal a deep fracture between the board – responsible for overseeing the prestigious Fulbright program – and the executive branch, potentially damaging the program’s reputation for impartiality and academic freedom. While administrations routinely review selections, the scale of these denials, as reported by former members, suggests a deliberate effort to exert control over who represents the United States abroad, a move likely to be viewed with concern by allies and partners who value the program’s independent standing. The incident underscores a broader pattern of the Trump administration challenging established norms and asserting greater control over institutions traditionally shielded from direct political influence.