What is the role of higher education when a nation moves toward a political climate in which the government has a free hand to do whatever it wants in the name of national security? If society faces a real threat that could destroy life as we know it, then we should all--including higher education--rise to its defense. However, if national security is merely used as a ruse to grab power, then higher education faces a very different imperative. Even if the threat is real, higher education still has a responsibility to carefully question the extent to which state power is justified. This article discusses the mission of higher education in relation to national security--to create informed discussion, and search for truth no matter where it leads.