Trump admin targets student loan forgiveness for those dubbed 'anti-American'

• It aligns with the president's mission to gut diversity, equity and inclusion work in the federal government.

Zoom in: The PSLF program, the result of a bipartisan congressional effort, was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007.

• The Trump White House claims its order "refocuses PSLF on its original intent of encouraging Americans to enter essential public service roles, such as nursing, rather than activist groups."

What they're saying: The nonprofit Student Debt Crisis Center opposed the order in a news release Friday deeming it "a clear attack on free speech" that "harms organizations that do not align with the president's politics."

• "Public service workers are the backbone of this country," Sabrina Calazans, SDCC executive director, said in the release.
• "They're often overworked and underpaid, and they still choose to serve others. Eliminating PSLF access for anyone is a slap in the face to so many hard-working Americans."

Natalia Abrams, SDCC president and founder, called the order "illegal and deeply troubling for all nonprofit workers."

• "Relentless political attacks on education and existing programs are not just policy decisions—they disrupt the lives and financial stability of Americans with student debt and their families," she said.