Several prominent Arizona Democrats and moderate Republicans who served in office have a cozy relationship with Arizona State University (ASU), often landing plum jobs with the woke university after leaving elected office. Some of them directed funding or other assistance to the university while serving in office, sparking concerns about a quid pro quo. A prominent former Arizona official told The Arizona Sun Times that ASU rewards politicians who vote to give the school money with “cushy” positions after they leave office. The former official noted that conservative Republicans are not provided these opportunities. 

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order aimed at improving outcomes in higher education by holding college and university accreditors more accountable. "Accreditors – the gatekeepers that decide which colleges and universities can access over $100 billion in annual Federal student loans and Pell Grants – have routinely approved low-quality institutions, ultimately failing students, families, and American taxpayers," the order reads. "Accreditors have failed to ensure quality, with a national six-year undergraduate graduation rate of just 64% in 2020."