Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday asked American universities to reaffirm their commitment to "national service" by the end of the year, as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday. McMahon emphasized that American trust in higher education has reached record lows, despite higher education institutions previously serving as beacons of American excellence and a source of "immense national pride." "Yet, as higher education has drifted from the principles that built up so much public esteem, Americans’ trust in universities has reached record lows." The secretary highlighted recent reports from Yale University and other schools that have documented politicization in the humanities and that a drop in academic standards and unclear admissions policies have "badly eroded public trust." McMahon called on every university and college in the United States to clearly describe their "commitments to rigorous teaching, pathbreaking research, and national service," in an effort to boost transparency in higher education.