Trump admin tackling ‘backlog of complaints’ from Biden era on antisemitism: ‘Immediate priority’
The Trump administration has made investigating allegations of antisemitism and violence on college campuses a top priority. This comes after canceling $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University due to the school’s failure to address persistent harassment of Jewish students.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) stated that the Biden administration had accumulated a backlog of complaints across universities following the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel in October 2023. Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for the OCR, emphasized the need to address the antisemitic harassment and violence that Jewish students faced on American campuses during this turbulent time.
Trainor criticized college and university presidents for their lack of credible action in response to these incidents. He also pointed out that the previous administration’s handling of complaints led to toothless resolution agreements that did not adequately address the issues at hand.
In response to these concerns, the Trump administration launched an investigation into antisemitic allegations, aligning with the president’s executive orders aimed at combating antisemitic harassment on campuses. As part of these efforts, a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism was established, with Columbia University being the first target of its actions.
Linda McMahon, Trump’s secretary of education, visited Columbia University to discuss the ongoing antisemitic allegations with school leaders. She emphasized the responsibility of institutions that receive federal funds to protect all students from discrimination, highlighting the serious questions raised by Columbia’s failure to address these issues.
Furthermore, the Trump administration canceled an additional $350 million in “woke” spending for contracts and grants, signaling a strong stance against antisemitic behavior on college campuses. This move reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Jewish students in educational settings.
In a related development, an activist who led protests and encampments on the Columbia University campus was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents over the weekend. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to revoke the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America for deportation.
Overall, the Trump administration’s actions underscore the importance of addressing antisemitism and violence on college campuses and ensuring that all students have equal access to education without fear of discrimination. These efforts aim to create a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish students across the country.
