A Critic of Universities Is Rallying to Defend Them in the Trump Era

The article discusses the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a non-profit organization known for criticizing progressive campus culture, taking on new targets in the Trump era. FIRE, traditionally a critic of universities, has now found itself defending them against the Trump administration's efforts to limit free speech on college campuses. The organization has filed lawsuits against the administration's policies, arguing that they infringe on the First Amendment rights of students and faculty. FIRE's president, Greg Lukianoff, acknowledges the organization's shift, stating that they are now "on the same side" as many universities they had previously criticized. The article highlights FIRE's role in advocating for free speech and civil liberties, even when it means defending institutions they have historically been critical of. The article suggests that FIRE's new stance reflects the changing political landscape, where traditional alliances and adversaries have become blurred in the face of perceived threats to fundamental freedoms.