Executive Branch
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
AIHEC engages with federal agencies and their policymakers.
On behalf of Tribal Colleges and Universities, AIHEC engages with federal agencies on the implementation of policies directly impacting TCU and student aid programs. By building and maintaining strong relationships with federal agencies, AIHEC ensures the needs of TCUs, American Indian and Alaska Native students, and Tribal communities are a priority for policymakers in the U.S. Executive branch.
Respecting Tribal Sovereignty and Upholding the Federal Government’s Trust and Treaty Obligations
The following documents were created by a coalition of Tribal Organizations in response to Executive Orders and other actions by the Trump Administration. These letters and press releases are part of an effort to protect Indian Country’s interests and to educate on the Nation-to-Nation relationship Tribal Nations have with the U.S. federal government and the federal trust responsibility they have to these Tribal Nations.
Protecting Indian Education in the Implementation of Administration Priorities – BIE
DoD Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
HUD Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
SBA Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
Department of Treasury Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
DOI Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
EPA Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
HHS Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
DHS Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
OMB Treatment of Tribal Nations in Implementation of Administration Priorities
White House Actions
AIHEC and the Coalition of Tribal Organizations are actively monitoring and reviewing President Trump’s executive orders and other actions. The information below provides a list and links to the numerous orders published by the Trump Administration that impact our nation’s Tribal Colleges and Universities.
General White House memos and Executive Orders
- OMB Memo for Agency General Counsels: Preliminary Injunction Against OMB Memorandum M-25-13 February 27, 2025
- OMB Memo M-25-14: Rescission of M-25-13 – January 29, 2025
- Executive Order 14148: Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions – January 20, 2025
- Memorandum: Regulatory Freeze Pending Review – January 20, 2025
Federal Workforce memos and Executive Orders
- OMB Memo: Guidance on Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans Requested by Implementing The President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative – February 26, 2025
- Executive Order 14210: Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative – February 11, 2025
- White House Fact Sheet: Reforming the Federal Workforce to Better Serve Americans – February 11, 2025
- White House Memo: Federal Hiring Freeze – January 20, 2025
Agency Memos and Orders
Department of the Interior
- DOI Secretarial Order: Ending DEI Programs and Gender Ideology Extremism – January 30, 2025
Presidential Executive Orders on Tribal Colleges and Universities and Indian Education
The establishment of executive orders on Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) stands out as one of AIHEC’s most significant successes. The first TCU executive order was issued on October 19, 1996 by President Clinton (EO 13021). Subsequently, Presidents Bush, Obama, and Biden have issued executive orders on American Indian and Alaskan Native education and Tribal Colleges and Universities. These executive orders are powerful directives that Tribal Colleges and Universities need to be supported by all federal government departments and agencies. These executive orders acknowledged Tribal Colleges and Universities as extensions of the federally recognized Tribes that charter them and confirmed the education of American Indians and Alaska Natives as part of a larger national mandate, one that all leaders and policymakers have a responsibility to recognize and fulfill.
On October 11, 2021, President Biden issued a comprehensive executive order that once again combines the goals of American Indian and Alaska Native education and Tribal Colleges and Universities. AIHEC is working with the Biden administration to ensure TCUs and TCUs students receive “focused attention,” “commitment,” and “investment” from all federal agencies.
Previous Executive Orders:
Executive Order 13270 – Tribal Colleges and Universities (July 2002, President George W. Bush)