As Barron Trump begins his freshman year at New York University’s Stern School of Business, he faces a unique and politically charged environment. The younger Trump’s arrival at the prestigious institution is marked by a contentious backdrop: many of his new professors signed an open letter branding his father, former President Donald Trump, as a “threat” to the Republic.

On Wednesday, Barron Trump, escorted by a Secret Service detail, marked his first day at NYU with a visit to the dean’s office before attending his initial class. JP Eggers, the interim dean of Stern since July 1, is one of 20 NYU Stern educators who endorsed the October 2020 open letter. The letter, which gathered over 1,000 signatures from top business school staff nationwide, raised alarm about the dangers posed by a Trump presidency.

“It is time for business leaders to declare publicly what so many have been saying privately: that President Trump is unfit to lead and is a threat to the Republic,” Eggers urged.

The letter, authored by Harvard Professor Deepak Malhotra, condemned Trump for undermining democracy, denigrating science, spreading misinformation, inciting violence, and politicizing various governmental functions. Malhotra’s call was clear: business leaders must publicly denounce Trump’s suitability for office and recognize him as a threat to democratic values.

Barron, who graduated from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach in May, has been confirmed to attend NYU, where tuition starts at around $62,700 annually. His father, Donald Trump, said Barron was “accepted to a lot of colleges,” and described him as a high-achieving young man, no longer a child but stepping into a new phase of life.

Standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall, Barron is expected to live off-campus at Trump Tower, necessitating a daily commute. His presence will undoubtedly present a complex security challenge for the Secret Service, tasked with balancing his safety with the goal of providing a typical university experience. Former Secret Service agent Paul Eckloff highlighted the risks, noting that social media posts revealing Barron’s whereabouts could endanger both him and those around him.