First — as a professor I can state confidently that the goal in the classroom is to teach students how to think critically — question, analyze, doubt. Don’t take anything at face value. Do your research, examine the evidence, understand the argument, recognize “truth” from falsehood, draw your own conclusions based upon your research, the evidence, deep thought, and good sense. We all use our fields of expertise to teach those critical thinking skills.

Second — I find it interesting that an administration that is stating that it wants to protect First Amendment rights (at least for those who align more with their agenda) is also vehemently pursuing an agenda that attacks First Amendment rights — specifically suppressing freedom of the press, condemning freedom of speech for those who protest the actions and policies of the current administration and, as indicated in this article, devaluing the methods and work of educators who do not share their political beliefs.