July 11, 2025
How the Truman Scholarship Became the Right’s Latest Battleground
By Nic Wong
As Republican pressure on education mounts, the fight over the scholarship reveals a broader effort to turn public service into a test of political loyalty.
“Shouldn’t the administration intervene when Jewish students are unsafe on campus?” Then came the follow-up: “What if it were Black students being lynched on campus—should the administration intervene then?”
These were questions I was asked during my interview for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a national award for college juniors committed to careers in public service. Established by Congress in 1975, the taxpayer-funded scholarship was designed to honor President Truman’s belief that democracy requires principled, well-prepared leaders. Each year, around one student per state is selected to receive funding for graduate school and support in pursuing work in government or the nonprofit sector. Applicants must be nominated by their schools, submit a series of essays, and, if selected as a finalist, sit for a 20-minute interview in their home state—a rapid-fire session meant to test their ability to think on their feet.
But instead of diving into policy, my interview veered sharply toward politics. I was asked about the Trump administration’s targeting of institutions—including my college campus, Columbia University. I later learned I wasn’t alone. Other finalists, particularly from elite schools with visible student protests, were similarly questioned on their views on Israel and Palestine, a topic far removed from what they had written in their applications.
