Student Loan Forgiveness Becomes 'Patriotic Duty' Test
Axios reports nearly two dozen attorneys general are suing the Education Department over a new rule for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). This rule now demands employers avoid activities deemed to have 'substantial illegal purpose' or be considered 'anti-American activists.' (Translation: if you work for an organization that actually challenges government policies, tough luck.) Under
Secretary Nicholas Kent's outrage, accusing plaintiffs of 'standing up for criminal activity,' perfectly illustrates the shift: supporting causes the administration dislikes is now 'criminal.' This isn't about 'protecting taxpayers' from vague threats like 'terrorism, child trafficking, and transgender procedures' (a particularly telling triad); it's about chilling dissent and controlling
nonprofits. PSLF, signed into law by George W. Bush in 2007, was meant for essential public servants — teachers, nurses, social workers. Now, apparently, their 'public service' needs a federal loyalty test. One almost wonders if organizations advocating for, say, Palestinian rights, or climate justice, or even voting rights, might suddenly find themselves on the wrong side of this 'illegal
purpose' doctrine. Because nothing says 'public service' like a good old-fashioned loyalty purge.