Cabrillo College President Matt Wetstein explains his early retirement decision amid what he describes as an escalating assault on higher education, immigrants and democratic norms under Trump’s second term. Citing abrupt federal grant cancellations, rising fear in immigrant communities and ideological pressure on DEI programs, Wetstein argues that the administration is operating more like a criminal enterprise than a democratic government. Drawing parallels to Watergate, he warns of a new national nightmare — unless civic and institutional leaders push back.
