Columbia University has made a strong statement in response to the announcement that three federal agencies will be reviewing the school’s contracts and grants. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Education (DoE), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) have expressed concerns about the university’s handling of on-campus protests against Israel, particularly in relation to the protection of Jewish students.
In their statement, Columbia University emphasized their commitment to combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. They expressed their determination to work with the Trump administration to address these issues and ensure the safety and well-being of their students, faculty, and staff.
The news of the federal review comes at a time when Linda McMahon, President Trump’s pick for secretary of education, has been confirmed by the Senate. McMahon has voiced her support for efforts to tackle campus antisemitism and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
McMahon highlighted the importance of learning institutions protecting all students from discrimination, especially those that receive federal funding. She raised concerns about Columbia University’s failure to uphold their end of the agreement, questioning the institution’s fitness to continue doing business with the U.S. government.
The GSA will be leading the review of federal funding received by Columbia University, including grant and contract reviews across the federal government. Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner and Task Force Member Josh Gruenbaum emphasized the government’s commitment to upholding standards and values, including the fight against antisemitism.
In a separate incident, Columbia students occupied a building at Barnard College in protest of the expulsion of two students who disrupted an Israeli history class with antisemitic flyers. The protest reportedly turned violent, with security guards being assaulted and significant damage caused to the school.
See also Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tough Bronx persona is under fresh scrutiny with a resurfaced childhood nickname from her suburban upstate New York upbringing casting doubt on that publicly portrayed image. The progressive champion’s latest spat with President Donald Trump over the Iran strikes again called into question her true upbringing when she declared on X she was a “Bronx girl" to make her a point against the president. The 35-year-old congresswoman wrote in part on X: "I’m a Bronx girl. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully," she said, referring to the president’s upbringing in Queens as she called for his impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx but moved to Yorktown – which is nearly an hour outside New York City -- when she was 5 years old and went on to attend Yorktown High School where she graduated in 2007. She was considered an accomplished student there and well thought of by teacher Michael Blueglass, according to a 2018 report by local media outlet Halston Media News. “There, known by students and staff as ‘Sandy,’ she was a member of the Science Research Program taught by Michael Blueglass," the report states. “She was amazing," Blueglass said, per the report. “Aside from her winning one of the top spots and going to the [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair], she was just one of the most amazing presenters in all of the years I've been at Yorktown. Her ability to take complex information and explain it to all different levels of people was fantastic." After high school, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she majored in economics and international relations, per the report. Ocasio-Cortez’s “Sandy" nickname — which carries a more suburban and preppy tone — appears to undercut her politically crafted image as a tough, inner-city fighter, one she has portrayed since her famous 2018 congressional campaign where she eventually ousted former 10-terms Congressman Joe Crowley. New York GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who now represents Yorktown, added to the scrutiny of Ocasio-Cortez’s persona in the wake of her brash with Trump and released images of Ocasio-Cortez from his high school yearbook. He claimed he and the rising Democratic star attended Yorktown High School at the same time when she was a freshman and he was a senior. "I saw the attacks on the president and her [Ocasio-Cortez] claims that she's a big, tough Bronx girl," said Slater. "To sit there and say that she’s a Bronx girl is just patently ridiculous." "Everybody in our community knows this is just a bold-face lie," said Slater on "Fox & Friends First" last week. "She grew up in Yorktown, she was on my track team." "She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing," Slater claimed. Slater’s post sent social media ablaze and prompted Ocasio-Cortez to respond after an image if her family’s home was posted online. “I’m proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Friday responding to the post. “My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep." “Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & it’s a big reason I believe the things I do today!"
The university’s response to these incidents underscores the importance of addressing antisemitism and discrimination on college campuses. As the federal review unfolds, Columbia University remains dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of its community.
