The American Association of University Professors denounced what it calls political “extortion” of universities through federal leverage tied to research funding. In a new report, AAUP President Todd Wolfson says the federal government has used threats of withholding billions in research dollars to demand sweeping changes to institutional governance, hiring, curriculum, and campus policies. AAUP’s report, “Extorted Compliance: A Threat to Institutional Autonomy, Academic Freedom, and Shared Governance,” highlights pressures on Columbia University and references the proposed “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” AAUP also argues that any administration using financial leverage to compel governance changes undermines shared governance and academic freedom. The dispute underscores an increasingly high-stakes compliance environment for senior leaders and governing boards, where governance decisions may be shaped by both regulatory requirements and federal funding conditions.