Score one for fairness: The U.S. Department of Education just axed a massive $37.7 million fine against Grand Canyon University, the nation’s largest Christian college.
Breitbart reported that the Biden administration slapped the penalty on GCU in 2023, claiming the school misled students about doctoral program costs. Seems the Trump team smelled something fishy and decided to right the wrong.
In a swift move, the DOE under President Trump dismissed the case against GCU with prejudice on Friday, ensuring the lawsuit can’t be resurrected.
The fine, the largest ever proposed against a university, was initially imposed for allegedly deceiving over 7,500 students. The Daily Caller broke the news Monday, spotlighting a victory for religious institutions.
Grand Canyon University, a beacon of Christian higher education, faced accusations of misrepresenting doctoral program costs under Biden’s watch. The DOE’s 2023 investigation claimed GCU lied to students, justifying the hefty fine. Yet, the Trump administration’s review found no evidence of wrongdoing, wiping the slate clean.
The Biden administration’s fine wasn’t just a slap on the wrist—it sparked cries of foul play. Critics, including Breitbart News in 2024, pointed out the DOE’s pattern of targeting faith-based colleges while giving Ivy League schools a free pass. Sounds like selective enforcement with a side of bias.
“Grand Canyon University categorically denies every accusation,” the school declared in a fiery five-page statement, per the Associated Press.
That’s not just defiance; it’s a school standing its ground against what it saw as a witch hunt. GCU’s resolve paid off, with the DOE’s dismissal proving their point.
The DOE’s Office of Hearings and Appeals sealed the deal with a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal on Friday. No findings, no fines, no liabilities—GCU walked away unscathed. The order made it crystal clear: The DOE couldn’t prove GCU violated any Title IV rules, including the misrepresentation claim.
Enter the Trump administration, which didn’t waste time cleaning house. DOE Spokesman Ellen Keast didn’t mince words: “We will not persecute colleges based on their religious affiliation,” she told the Daily Caller. That’s a promise to prioritize students over politics, a refreshing change from the previous regime’s playbook.
Keast’s statement isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a policy pivot. The Trump DOE vowed to hold schools accountable based on facts, not ideological crusades.
After all, punishing a Christian university while ignoring elite institutions reeks of an agenda, not justice.
GCU President Brian Mueller couldn’t hide his relief. “The facts support our contention that we were wrongly accused,” he told Fox News. His words echo the sentiment of a school vindicated, ready to move forward without a $37.7 million albatross around its neck.
The dismissal with prejudice is a legal mic drop. It means the DOE can’t drag GCU back into this mess, offering the university a clean bill of health. For a school accused of deceiving thousands, that’s not just a win—it’s a testament to their integrity.
Let’s rewind: In 2023, the Biden DOE claimed GCU misled students about doctoral costs, a charge that fueled the massive fine. Yet, the Trump administration’s review found no substance to those claims. Funny how a change in leadership can bring clarity to a murky situation.
The allegations of targeting Christian schools aren’t new. A 2024 Breitbart study highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s apparent obsession with faith-based colleges. Meanwhile, elite universities skated by—perhaps their secular status earned them a hall pass.
GCU’s victory isn’t just about one school; it’s a signal to others facing similar scrutiny. The Trump DOE’s actions suggest a broader commitment to fairness, especially for religious institutions. That’s a far cry from the previous administration’s heavy-handed tactics.
“The Trump Administration will continue to ensure every institution is held accountable based on facts,” Keast emphasized to the Daily Caller. Her words are a polite jab at the Biden era’s selective outrage. Actions, it seems, do have consequences—especially when they’re driven by bias.