The Trump administration has slashed federal funding for Columbia University in response to the school’s “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”
The administration canceled roughly $400 million in federal grants following an investigation by President Donald Trump’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which focused on whether Columbia University violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, questioning whether the school took “prompt and effective steps” to deal with rampant harassment and riots.
“Since October 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,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon explained in a statement obtained by NBC News.
Columbia University is reportedly panicking in response to losing the federal funding, as university officials are scrambling to work with federal officials to solve the problem.
According to a university spokesperson: “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.”
McMahon has since announced in a post on X that she had already had a “productive meeting” with the interim president of Columbia University, Katrina Armstrong.
Had a productive meeting with Columbia’s interim president Katrina Armstrong today. Look forward to working together to protect all students on their campus.
The Trump Administration will not allow the continued harassment and threats of violence against students. https://t.co/FL3YqiQWcD
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) March 7, 2025
Meanwhile, the head of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, Leo Terrell, revealed that the decision to cancel Columbia University’s funding is “only the beginning” of the Trump administration’s response to anti-Semitism on college campuses.
Columbia University Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life executive director Brian Cohen celebrated the move, expressing hope that it will help change the school’s response to these riots.
“Columbia has an antisemitism crisis, and for months, I have worked with faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni to urge the administration to act quickly to address this crisis,” Cohen said in a statement. “I hope this federal action is a wake-up call to Columbia’s administration and trustees.”
This news comes as Columbia University continues to make headlines for their out-of-control anti-Israel “demonstrations,” which began after Hamas terrorists massacred over 1,200 people, injured thousands more, and kidnapped over 250 people in Israel on October 7. These protests have often turned to riots, leading to campus security officers being injured, Jewish students being harassed, numerous rioters being arrested, and hundreds of students not being able to attend the classes that they pay tens of thousands of dollars in tuition for.
🚨COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY YESTERDAY🚨
A crowd chants “There is only one solution, intifada revolution.”
The “intifada” refers to gruesome terror attacks on Jewish civilians.
Should Columbia lose ALL public funding? pic.twitter.com/r8ylYkbxGc
— Jews Fight Back 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@JewsFightBack) March 7, 2025
These violent “demonstrations” have even led to leadership changes within the university, as former president Minouche Shafik was forced to step down following bipartisan criticism.
