In a bold move to preserve justice and uphold American values, the Trump Administration has announced an immediate cancellation of $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University. This decision, spearheaded by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), comes amid the university’s neglect in tackling the troubling rise of antisemitism on its campus.
The agencies declared:
“Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the immediate cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University due to the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students. These cancellations represent the first round of action and additional cancellations are expected to follow. The Task Force is continuing to review and coordinate across federal agencies to identify additional cancellations that could be made swiftly. DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA are taking this action as members of the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. Columbia University currently holds more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments.”
On March 3, the Task Force informed the Acting President of Columbia University of an extensive review of their federal agreements, following ongoing Title VI investigations under the Civil Rights Act. Despite this, chaos and antisemitic incidents have persisted, with Columbia remaining silent in response to the Task Force.
The situation has been exacerbated by recent protests and hostile activities on campus, which President Trump has pledged to halt. His statement on Truth Social was clear: “All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country they came from. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized, “Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses – only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them.”
She continued, “Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus. Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer.”
Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the head of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, added, “Freezing the funds is one of the tools we are using to respond to this spike in anti-Semitism. This is only the beginning.”
He further stated, “Cancelling these taxpayer funds is our strongest signal yet that the Federal Government is not going to be party to an educational institution like Columbia that does not protect Jewish students and staff.”
The decisive action by the DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA serves as a stern warning to all educational institutions about the consequences of failing to protect Jewish students. GSA will collaborate with HHS and ED to issue stop-work orders on Columbia’s contracts, effectively freezing their access to federal funds.
Josh Gruenbaum, FAS Commissioner and Task Force member, reinforced the gravity of the situation, saying, “Doing business with the Federal Government is a privilege. Columbia University, through their continued and shameful inaction to stop radical protesters from taking over buildings on campus and lack of response to the safety issues for Jewish students, and for that matter — all students — are not upholding the ideals of this Administration or the American people. Columbia cannot expect to retain the privilege of receiving federal taxpayer dollars if they will not fulfill their civil rights responsibilities to protect Jewish students from harassment and anti-Semitism.”
Incidents of pro-Hamas demonstrations have marred campuses across the nation, but Columbia has been a particular hotspot. Protesters have even invaded Jewish history classes and passed out Hamas propaganda, while chaos erupted last August with students occupying Hamilton Hall.
Additionally, some Columbia deans have been involved in spreading antisemitic sentiments, with the university prompted to respond to such serious allegations.
This significant cutback from the Trump Administration highlights their unwavering stance against antisemitism and their commitment to protecting Jewish students across the nation. More cuts are expected as officials review the entire $5 billion grant commitments to Columbia.
