Members of the Fulbright scholarship board resign, accusing Trump of meddling

a year ago

All 12 members of the Fulbright scholarship board resigned in protest against Trump administration's interference in the selection of award recipients.
The administration denied awards to a substantial number of pre-selected candidates and subjected 1,200 foreign awardees to an unauthorized review process.
The board members accused the administration of acting unlawfully and undermining the integrity of the Fulbright program and America's credibility abroad.
The Fulbright program, established nearly 80 years ago, promotes international exchange and American diplomacy, awarding about 9,000 scholarships annually.
Notable Fulbright alumni include heads of state, Nobel and Pulitzer prize winners, and other distinguished individuals.
The State Department dismissed the resignations as a political stunt, claiming the board members were partisan appointees.
The Trump administration's actions are seen as undermining the merit-based selection process and the program's insulation from political influence.
The board members hope Congress, the courts, and future boards will prevent further degradation of the program.
The resignations coincide with increased scrutiny of international students by the Trump administration, including stricter visa vetting and pressure on universities.

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