For years, Christian institutions across America have found themselves in the crosshairs of an increasingly hostile federal bureaucracy. From small religious schools to major universities, the pattern has become disturbingly familiar: investigations, fines, and threats designed to bring these institutions to heel.
But sometimes, David defeats Goliath. Sometimes, standing firm in the face of government overreach leads not to destruction, but to complete victory. And sometimes—here’s the beautiful part—elections truly do have consequences for religious liberty in America.
This week brought news of exactly such a victory. Grand Canyon University, the nation’s largest Christian institution of higher learning, has finally won against what its president calls years of “politically motivated lawfare.” President Trump’s Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously last week to drop a Biden-era lawsuit that had accused the Phoenix-based university of deceptive advertising and illegal telemarketing practices. That’s right—unanimously. Not a single dissent.
The 3-0 FTC decision represents the final chapter in a government attack that began six years ago and got really nasty under the Biden administration. The school faced a staggering $37.7 million fine from the Department of Education—the largest in that agency’s history—along with multiple investigations that cost the university millions to defend against. (Your tax dollars at work, by the way.)
From ‘The Federal Trade Commission’:
This case, which we inherited from the previous administration, was filed nearly two years ago and has suffered losses in two motions to dismiss. These losses are compounded by recent events: Grand Canyon secured a victory over the Department of Education in a related matter before the Ninth Circuit; the Department of Education rescinded a massive fine levied on related grounds; and the Internal Revenue Service confirmed that Grand Canyon University is properly claiming 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation designation. We view it as imprudent to continue expending Commission resources on a lost cause.
The scope of the government’s campaign against GCU reveals a troubling pattern of persecution. When the university tried to return to its nonprofit status after successfully climbing out of financial trouble, federal agencies launched what GCU President Brian Mueller describes as revenge investigations. “They threw everything they had at us for four years,” Mueller stated. The school faced scrutiny of “thousands and thousands and thousands of documents.”
Can you believe this? The persecution reached its peak when former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona made his intentions crystal clear during a 2024 House hearing. He actually vowed to “shut them down” and “send a message.” Let that sink in. A government official openly admitting he wanted to destroy a Christian university to make an example of them. This wasn’t about protecting students. This wasn’t about educational quality. This was about crushing a thriving Christian institution that refused to bend the knee.
The Biden administration even claimed that 98% of doctoral students paid more than advertised. But here’s the thing—GCU had some of the clearest disclosures in higher education. The real crime? Being successful while Christian.
With the FTC’s dismissal, every single federal agency that looked at GCU’s operations has now cleared the university. Think about that for a second. The IRS did an extra audit and confirmed the school’s nonprofit status. The Department of Education, under new leadership, dropped its historic fine after finding “absolutely no substantial evidence” of wrongdoing. Even the liberal Ninth Circuit Court ruled in GCU’s favor.
Mueller’s response captures both relief and righteous anger: “Despite every unjust accusation leveled against us, we have not only survived but have continued to thrive as a university.” And here’s my favorite part—the school never paid a penny of those bogus fines. Not one cent. They refused to negotiate what they knew were garbage charges.
The Trump administration took what they called a “fresh look” at the case. Translation? They actually looked at the facts instead of the politics.
The FTC commissioners finally admitted what many conservatives have known all along—pursuing this case was a waste of taxpayer resources on a “lost cause.” Their statement about having “a duty to maximize consumers’ return on their tax dollars investment” stands in stark contrast to the previous administration’s willingness to burn millions persecuting a Christian university.
If you have kids looking at colleges, this victory sends a clear message. Faith-based institutions can fight back against government pressure. When bureaucrats overstep their bounds to target religious organizations, standing firm on principle can beat political persecution.
https://istandforfreedom.com/trump-biden-school/
Our thanks to BonLovesFreedom for this article.
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