Grand Canyon University triumphs as FTC dismisses Biden-era lawsuit

Victory tastes sweet for Grand Canyon University (GCU), the largest Christian college in America, as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) unanimously voted to drop a contentious lawsuit last week.

After years of legal battles, GCU, along with its marketing partner Grand Canyon Education, Inc., and CEO Brian Mueller, has been cleared of allegations of deceptive advertising and illegal telemarketing brought by the Biden administration in 2023, as Fox News reports.

Let’s rewind to 2023, when the FTC, under the current administration, launched a federal lawsuit against GCU, accusing the university of misleading doctoral students about program durations and falsely presenting itself as a nonprofit.

Legal challenges mount

Not content with just one angle of attack, the Biden FTC also claimed GCU engaged in illegal telemarketing by contacting prospective students who had asked not to be reached after submitting their information online.

Adding insult to injury, the Department of Education under the same administration refused to recognize GCU’s nonprofit status, despite approvals from the IRS, the State of Arizona, the Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education, and the Higher Learning Commission.

Apparently, when it comes to targeting a Christian institution, no stone is left unturned — or unthrown — by certain bureaucrats in Washington.

FTC case crumbles under scrutiny

Fast forward to last week, and the FTC’s case against GCU collapsed with a unanimous vote to dismiss the lawsuit, signaling a major win for the university.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson noted, “This case, inherited from the previous administration, was filed nearly two years ago and has suffered losses.”

Translation: even the FTC couldn’t ignore the shaky ground their accusations stood on, especially after GCU’s related victory over the Department of Education in the Ninth Circuit and the IRS confirming the school’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation.

Department of Education backtracks on fines

Adding to the vindication, the Department of Education rescinded a staggering $37.7 million fine against GCU in May 2025, which had been slapped on for alleged deceptive practices.

GCU’s president, Brian Mueller, didn’t hold back, calling the ordeal “years of coordinated lawfare by government officials under the Biden Administration.”

Well, Mr. Mueller, it seems the harder they come, the harder they fall — especially when the facts aren’t on their side.

GCU stands strong amid diversity

Mueller also defended GCU’s integrity, stating, “As we have stated from the beginning, not only were these accusations false, but the opposite is true.”

In a final jab at the relentless scrutiny, Mueller added, “They threw everything they had at us for four years, and yet, despite every unjust accusation leveled against us, we have not only survived but have continued to thrive.”

It’s clear that GCU’s resilience in the face of such overreach sends a powerful message: faith-based institutions won’t be easily bullied by bureaucratic agendas.