Young America’s Foundation has taken a firm stand against what it sees as a blatant violation of conservative students’ rights at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. On February 19, 2025, the organization announced it had filed a formal complaint with the Trump administration’s Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, urging an investigation into the school’s discriminatory practices. This action reflects a growing frustration among conservatives who believe educational institutions are stifling free expression and targeting those who hold traditional values.

The complaint accuses Embry-Riddle of breaching multiple executive orders signed by President Donald Trump, as well as Title VI and Title IX, which protect against discrimination based on race, religion, and sex. Young America’s Foundation claims the university has imposed a “totalitarian speech ban” that disproportionately silences conservative students while permitting leftist activism. Spencer Brown, YAF’s communications chief, detailed the issue in a thread on X, explaining that the group had previously demanded the repeal of this policy and exposed its selective enforcement against conservative students.

According to the foundation, Embry-Riddle has blocked YAF chapter activities under a supposed ban on “political” expression, yet the university has allowed events like the “Day of Transgender Visibility” to proceed unchecked.

“Young America’s Foundation write to alert you to significant and ongoing civil rights violations against conservative students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,” the complaint states.

It further alleges that the school “elevated the ‘Day of Transgender Visibility’ to a religious holiday and permitted activists to express themselves on that day, in spite of ERAU’s speech ban,” while denying similar freedoms to YAF students.

“With this complaint, YAF is following through on its promise to have our students’ backs whenever their rights come under attack from school administrators,” Brown emphasized.

He urged swift action from the Trump administration.

“With his executive orders, President Trump equipped the Office of Civil Rights to investigate and defund educational institutions that violate their students’ rights, a welcome change that YAF applauds and is now eager to take advantage of to root out leftist discrimination at ERAU and other schools nationwide,” he said.

“ERAU, however, continues to refuse the YAF chapter’s requests to express themselves. In doing so, ERAU recognizes sex-based distinctions that are not legitimate under law and discriminates on the basis of religion,” the press release from YAF also highlighted.

Conservatives have long contended that universities, once bastions of free thought, now cater to progressive ideologies while suppressing dissenting voices. Embry-Riddle’s actions, as outlined by YAF, exemplify this trend—allowing radical gender ideology to flourish while clamping down on students who wish to express conservative principles. The complaint serves as a call to arms for those who believe in protecting individual rights against institutional overreach.

President Trump’s administration has made it clear that it will not tolerate such violations, and YAF’s move leverages that commitment.

“In this case, YAF is alerting the Trump administration—and urging swift action—to remedy ERAU’s shameful speech policy and pattern of discrimination against conservative students,” Brown affirmed.

This effort underscores a broader push to hold educational institutions accountable and ensure that conservative students can speak freely without fear of retribution. With the Trump administration’s backing, this complaint could mark a turning point in the fight to restore fairness and liberty on America’s campuses.