Trump cuts $400 million in grants to Columbia over antisemitism concerns
The Trump administration made a groundbreaking announcement on Friday, revealing its decision to withdraw over $400 million in federal grants from Columbia University. The reason cited for this drastic action was the administration’s concerns regarding the escalating antisemitism on the university campus and the institution’s failure to address this pressing issue.
Earlier this week, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education (DoED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) jointly declared the initiation of a “comprehensive review” of the more than $5 billion in federal grant money allocated to Columbia University. This review was prompted by ongoing investigations into potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act related to antisemitism on campus.
Merely four days following the announcement of this review, sources with knowledge of the situation, who opted to remain anonymous, disclosed that a significant portion of the federal grant funds from HHS and DoED will be revoked from Columbia as a consequence of the persisting antisemitism on campus.
The university had been grappling with anti-Israel protests throughout the week, reminiscent of the student encampments that engulfed Columbia and other campuses nationwide following the Hamas attack on innocent Israelis in October 2023. The situation escalated when students attempted to take over a campus library, resulting in nine arrests as reported by the New York Post.
In response to these troubling developments, Linda McMahon, the Education Secretary under the Trump administration, visited the campus on Friday to engage with university leaders and discuss the ongoing antisemitism concerns.
McMahon expressed deep concern over the situation, highlighting the plight of Jewish students who have been subjected to assault and harassment on elite university campuses for over a year. She emphasized the need for institutions receiving federal funds to uphold their responsibility in safeguarding all students from discrimination.
The decision to revoke more than $400 million in grant funds from Columbia aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at combating antisemitism, particularly in educational settings. As part of these directives, a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism was established, with its initial major action being the review of Columbia’s grant funds.
In response to the federal agencies’ announcement, a spokesperson from Columbia conveyed the university’s commitment to collaborating with the government to restore its federal funding. The spokesperson affirmed the institution’s dedication to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff.
The move to rescind the grant funds underscores the seriousness with which the Trump administration views antisemitism on college campuses and reflects the government’s determination to hold institutions accountable for protecting all students from discrimination.
