Federal oversight of accreditation is facing renewed scrutiny as Education Department appointees and NACIQI members traded pointed rhetoric this week. The panel that advises the secretary on institutional quality convened under partisan seating rules and advanced the Trump administration’s push to pressure accreditors over diversity, equity and inclusion and academic standards, though the meeting produced limited immediate policy changes. Separately, administration officials have signaled an aggressive review of accreditation practices and pledged reforms aimed at tightening accountability. The combined moves raise the prospect of faster recognition decisions, heightened compliance demands for institutions and a more adversarial relationship between accreditors and colleges—potentially affecting eligibility for federal financial aid if recognition standards shift.