A new Public Religion Research Institute survey found 70% of Americans oppose federal control of college admissions, faculty hiring and curriculum, including majorities of Democrats and independents. The poll directly challenges the Trump administration’s strategy of using federal research and funding priorities to press universities on policy changes tied to campus speech, admissions and DEI practices. PRRI’s breakdown showed 84% of Democrats, 75% of independents and 58% of Republicans oppose federal micromanagement of campus operations. The result adds a layer of political risk to federal interventions in higher education and gives university leaders ammunition in arguing for institutional autonomy even as some schools negotiate settlements or policy shifts to restore funding.