Trump Administration Pulls $400 Million From Columbia University Over Antisemitism Claims!

2025-03-08 12:00:40.973

The Trump administration announced it is pulling $400 million in funding from Columbia University, alleging the Ivy League school has failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus. This action comes after federal agencies reviewed Columbia's eligibility for over $5 billion in federal grants and considered halting work on $51 million in contracts. The decision follows Columbia's establishment of a new disciplinary committee and increased investigations into students critical of Israel, actions that have raised concerns among free speech advocates. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that universities must comply with federal antidiscrimination laws to receive federal funding and accused Columbia of abandoning its obligation to Jewish students. Columbia vowed to work with the government to regain the funding and affirmed its commitment to combating antisemitism. The impact on specific research projects and activities remains unclear. While some, like retired senior research scientist Robert Newton, view the government's claims as a falsehood, Columbia/Barnard Hillel welcomed the decision, hoping it would prompt the university to take antisemitism more seriously. The New York Civil Liberties Union criticized the move as an unconstitutional attempt to suppress student speech. This action marks the first target in President Trump's campaign to cut federal funding from colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism, following campus protests and demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas war. Columbia's previous president resigned amidst congressional scrutiny and a university task force report detailing instances of ostracization and harassment of Jewish students and Israelis. Recent protests at Columbia and Barnard College have involved arrests and accusations of suppressing pro-Palestinian speech. Several other universities are also under federal investigation for alleged antisemitism.