Trump admin’s antisemitism task force moving at record speed to punish colleges for inaction

The recent cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University by the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism has sent shockwaves through the country’s universities. This decisive action, as stated in the task force’s press release, serves as a warning to all schools and universities that receive federal funding.

Leo Terrell, leader of the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, did not mince words when he singled out Columbia University as one of the worst offenders when it comes to allowing antisemitic conduct to persist on campus. This move by the task force has been lauded by Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive director of the Orthodox Union, who believes that such dramatic action is necessary to address the urgent issue of campus antisemitism.

The protests at Columbia University and Barnard College have further highlighted the prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses. Terrell emphasized that President Trump’s executive order directing increased efforts to combat antisemitism has set the tone for all agencies involved in the task force, including the Departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and State.

The task force will be evaluating schools based on several criteria to determine if they are adequately protecting Jewish students. This includes looking for evidence of hate crimes, examining schools’ tax-exempt status, and checking for violations of Title VI and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Title VI protects against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin, while Title VII prevents federal employment discrimination on various grounds.

The recent protests at Columbia and Barnard, including the storming of classrooms and distribution of hateful materials, have only intensified concerns about antisemitism on campus. The arrest of former Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil for allegedly advocating for Hamas has further complicated the situation. While Columbia has not responded to questions about the cancellation of grants or its stance on ICE presence on campus, interim president Katrina Armstrong has assured the community that combating antisemitism is a top priority.

In order to regain trust and demonstrate their commitment to combating antisemitism, schools must take meaningful action. Terrell emphasized that schools will not receive special rewards for addressing antisemitism without federal involvement. The focus should be on protecting Jewish-American students and creating a safe and inclusive campus environment for all. The stakes are high, and schools must rise to the challenge of eradicating antisemitism from their campuses.