The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) held its first sessions under the Trump administration amid partisan tension but stopped short of radical accreditation rollbacks, renewing recognition for major accreditors while pressing questions about access, program ROI and political influence. The committee’s work highlighted growing pressure to loosen legacy accreditors’ grip and to clear pathways for new accrediting entities. Legal and policy analyses show a broader push behind the scenes to reshape accreditation, with advocacy groups and new accreditors gaining attention. Investigations and leaked emails have mapped the network of actors pushing for change and prompted scrutiny about whether the movement is more ideological than technical. Observers say the process signals long-term upheaval for the federal quality-assurance framework — one that boards and institutional leaders must monitor closely as recognition standards, transferability and federal funding eligibility may shift.