United States Department of Education, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons / davidpinter, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

A Biden administration cabinet official has declared his intention to shut down the largest Christian university in the United States, claiming that the institution of higher learning was preying on students for profit.

During a House Appropriations Committee hearing, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona declared a decisive action against Grand Canyon University (GCU), stating the administration’s commitment to shutting down the institution.

“We are cracking down not only to shut them down, but to send a message to not prey on students,” Cardona said in response to the eccentric Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro’s inquiry about how the administration is tackling what she described as “a predatory for-profit school,” as reported by Fox News.

DeLauro highlighted past actions against GCU, criticizing the university for deceptive practices related to the cost of education.

“Last year, your Department took action against Grand Canyon University, a predatory for-profit college, over the school’s failure to accurately disclose its cost to students, driving up the true cost for those students requiring them to pay for continuation courses before they would graduate – scam courses added about $10,000 or more to the cost of education to these kids,” DeLauro explained.

The Department of Education had previously levied a substantial $37.7 million fine against GCU in November, based on allegations that the university misled students about the cost of its doctoral programs. The fine was notably larger than those imposed on other universities for different issues. Following these measures, GCU was given a deadline to request a hearing or respond to the fine, with specific conditions laid out for their continued participation in federal student aid programs.

In response to the ongoing scrutiny and actions, a GCU spokesperson defended the university.

“Our next recourse after that decision would be another appeal within the Department, this time directly to the Secretary of Education,” the official told Fox News, indicating that the university is planning further appeals.

The spokesperson also criticized the aggressive stance of the Department of Education.

“The Secretary’s comments to the House Appropriations Committee were so reckless that GCU is demanding an immediate retraction, as they do not reflect the factual record in this case. He is either confused, misinformed or does not understand the actions taken by his own agency,” the spokesperson added, per Fox News.

Amid these developments, the American Principles Project launched a petition to protect Christian colleges, arguing against what it views as the Biden administration’s unjust attacks on religious educational institutions such as Grand Canyon University and others.

“The federal government’s education agenda is punishing schools that do not conform to their progressive ideology. It’s time we take a stand against this egregious abuse of power,” Jon Schweppe, APP Policy Director, stated, according to Fox News. “The scrutinize-and-penalize campaign against faith-based institutions is not about students’ interests or well-being. Rather, it’s part of a concerted effort to snuff out education choice and promote far-left values. It's critical that Americans be aware of this shameful campaign and that we do all we can to put a stop to it.”