Trump admin wants to put Columbia under federal oversight: report
The Trump administration is reportedly taking additional steps to ensure that Columbia University continues to align itself with the president’s directives on antisemitism. After Columbia made changes to its policies and practices in response to the threat of losing $400 million in federal funding, the administration is now seeking a legal arrangement known as a consent decree.
This consent decree would create a court-enforced compliance agreement to ensure that Columbia remains in line with the executive directives on antisemitism set forth by President Trump. The administration believes that this step is necessary to guarantee that the university continues to implement the necessary changes.
The Trump administration has indicated that Columbia is on the right track to restore its federal funding, but no formal announcement has been made yet. The consent decree must be voluntary, so Columbia will need to be a willing participant in the arrangement. If the university does not comply with the directives outlined in the decree, it could face monetary penalties and potentially be held in contempt of court.
This move comes after Columbia made changes to its policies, including revising its protesting policies, expanding its Jewish studies program, placing its Middle Eastern studies program under new supervision, and altering student disciplinary procedures. The administration wants to ensure that these changes are lasting and effective in combating antisemitism on campus.
Consent decrees are not uncommon tools used by administrations to ensure that their policy priorities are being implemented. Under former President Joe Biden, similar arrangements were made with police departments and universities to address various issues, including antisemitism concerns.
The Trump administration’s decision to pursue a consent decree with Columbia reflects its doubts about the university’s commitment to following the federal directives on antisemitism in good faith. By implementing this legal arrangement, the administration aims to hold Columbia accountable for its actions and ensure that it continues to prioritize combating antisemitism on its campus.
Overall, the administration’s efforts to secure a consent decree with Columbia demonstrate its commitment to addressing antisemitism and holding institutions accountable for their actions. It remains to be seen how Columbia will respond to this initiative and whether it will voluntarily enter into the agreement.
