The Trump administration introduced Friday that it had canceled $400 million in federal grants to Columbia College, citing the varsity’s alleged failure to adequately tackle antisemitism on campus
The choice, introduced by the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ), Well being and Human Providers (HHS), Training (ED), and the Basic Providers Administration (GSA), marks the administration’s newest motion towards the Ivy League establishment.
Officers mentioned the transfer was prompted by student-led protests at Columbia towards Israel’s navy actions in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel. The assault resulted within the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the seize of 251 hostages. In response, Israel’s navy marketing campaign has killed an estimated 48,000 Palestinians, primarily ladies and kids, in accordance with Gaza’s Well being Ministry.
Training Secretary Linda McMahon described the demonstrations as antisemitic and accused the college of failing to take enough motion. Protesters, nonetheless, argue their opposition is directed on the Israeli authorities somewhat than Jewish individuals.
“Since Oct. 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses – only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them,” McMahon mentioned.
“Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding,” she added. “For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus. Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer.”
A Columbia spokesperson, in an announcement, mentioned the varsity is “reviewing the announcement from the federal agencies and pledge to work with the federal government to restore Columbia’s federal funding.”
“We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is and are committed to combatting antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff,” they added.
The transfer follows a warning earlier this week from McMahon that Columbia might face a lack of federal funding if it didn’t take stronger measures towards antisemitism on campus.
Leo Terrell, senior counsel to the Assistant Lawyer Basic for Civil Rights and head of the DOJ Job Pressure to Fight Anti-Semitism, mentioned freezing federal funds is without doubt one of the “tools” the administration is utilizing to battle antisemitism and that its motion concentrating on Columbia is “only the beginning.”
“Cancelling these taxpayer funds is our strongest signal yet that the Federal Government is not going to be party to an educational institution like Columbia that does not protect Jewish students and staff,” Terrell mentioned.
The protests at Columbia, which started final spring, sparked related demonstrations in school campuses throughout the nation. The Columbia protests reached a head when the NYPD stormed the college, breaking apart an encampment on the campus garden, clearing out a constructing protesters had seized, and making mass arrests.
Simply this week, pro-Palestinian protesters took over a constructing at Barnard School, which is affiliated with Columbia. The NYPD on Wednesday moved into the constructing, broke up the protest, and made arrests.
