PEN America’s report concluded that 2025 set records for state laws restricting higher education speech and operations, leaving more than half of U.S. students subject to at least one censorship law or policy. The group said state legislatures enacted 21 higher‑ed censorship laws across 15 states last year and documented federal actions that have affected research funding, accreditation, and clinical trials. The study cites specific measures—from gag orders to restrictions on DEI offices—and accuses the federal government of leveraging research funding and accreditation processes to shape campus practices. PEN America’s Amy Reid said campus leaders are increasingly acting preemptively out of fear of sanctions. Universities facing new state statutes and federal scrutiny must weigh legal risk, faculty governance erosion, and implications for academic freedom. Higher‑ed attorneys and policy shops will be closely watching litigation outcomes and administrative guidance as institutions navigate compliance and defense strategies.