Rep. Krajewski, Councilmember Gauthier call on Penn to reject federal funding plan
Rep. Rick Krajewski October 3, 2025 | 6:44 PM
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 3 – Today, in response to President Donald Trump's university funding proposal, State Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-188) and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (District 3) released the following joint statement:
“The Trump administration’s offer of federal funding to higher education institutions is a thinly veiled play at extortion in pursuit of his authoritarian agenda. Accepting these dollars would mean unprecedented policing and control of the curriculum and campus culture of universities like Penn. This is not a peace offering, this is a hostile takeover.
“Black students, LGBT+ students, international students, workers, immigrants – these are our constituents and our neighbors. Playing along with this 'deal' would send a ruinous message across the country: that it is normal, and acceptable, to accommodate the whims of our dictatorial and white supremacist President in exchange for what amounts to little more than a bribe.
“Our community, and our nation, is watching how Penn and the other 8 universities will respond. Long after the President is gone, Black and Brown Philadelphians will still be here. We will remember how Penn navigated this moment.
“As leaders representing Penn, as well as hundreds of thousands of West and Southwest neighbors, we demand President Jameson and the rest of the University of Pennsylvania stand firm and reject this disastrous plan.”
Krajewski also joined Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-181) today in announcing their intent to introduce legislation to prohibit institutions that receive state funding from signing onto this compact or similar agreements.