Columbia University is under pressure to comply with federal demands—including a mask ban and disciplinary measures against anti-Israel protesters—or risk losing $400 million in funding. The Trump administration has set a deadline, leaving the Ivy League school divided on how to respond.
Key Facts:
- The Trump administration is threatening to revoke approximately $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University for failing to enforce anti-discrimination laws.
- A March 13 letter outlined nine demands, including enforcing discipline against protesters who violently occupied Hamilton Hall in April 2024.
- Columbia must ban masks on campus, except for religious and health reasons, and require IDs to be displayed.
- ICE recently arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia protest leader, for alleged ties to Hamas and plans to deport him.
- The administration also demands Columbia place its Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies departments under academic receivership for five years.
The Rest of The Story:
Columbia’s board of trustees is split on whether to comply with federal requirements or risk financial consequences.
Some believe giving in would undermine the university’s academic independence, while others recognize the importance of protecting students and maintaining order.
In a March 19 letter, Interim President Katrina Armstrong acknowledged structural issues within the university but did not explicitly commit to the federal demands.
Columbia has taken steps like implementing an anti-doxxing policy and expelling some students involved in violent protests, though it remains unclear if these actions meet government expectations.
The Trump administration has made it clear that compliance is not optional.
The Department of Education has warned 60 other universities that failure to address antisemitism on campus could also jeopardize their federal funding.
Commentary:
Columbia University’s handling of antisemitic protests has been disgraceful, and federal intervention is long overdue.
The university has allowed radical protesters to run rampant, creating an environment where Jewish students feel unsafe.
The administration’s weak response only emboldens these groups, many of whom openly support Hamas and call for the destruction of Israel.
The violent takeover of Hamilton Hall was not a peaceful demonstration—it was a criminal act.
Despite what his lawyers and family claim, Mahmoud Khalil isn’t the innocent figure. — April 2024, he orchestrated violent occupation protests, seizing control at Columbia University.
Sec.State Rubio emphasizes this isn’t about free speech—it’s a matter of national security. pic.twitter.com/rFYl9Vc5ui
— April Color (@ColorApril) March 16, 2025
Yet Columbia’s leadership has hesitated to enforce real consequences.
The federal government’s demand for “meaningful discipline,” including expulsions and multi-year suspensions, is the bare minimum.
Without strict enforcement, future riots and disruptions are inevitable.
A mask ban is a necessary step to prevent anonymous agitators from using intimidation tactics.
Jewish alumni groups and elected officials have rightly pushed for this measure, but Columbia has dragged its feet.
Why?
Perhaps because many of the most vocal anti-Israel demonstrators are international students on visas.
Columbia has more foreign students than American ones, raising questions about where the loyalties of these demonstrators truly lie.
It's not widely known, but over HALF of Columba University's enrollment is now foreign students. Some of them are people like Mahmoud Khalil, who spent all his time agitating in support of Hamas terrorists.
But if you dig deeper, the true story is even more appalling: Columbia… pic.twitter.com/gQQ6qi5x4u
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 12, 2025
The financial aspect cannot be ignored either.
Columbia relies heavily on federal funding, yet it seems unwilling to uphold basic anti-discrimination standards in return. Maybe because foreign students pay full tuition as opposed to most American students.
The university must choose: comply with the law or forfeit taxpayer dollars.
It cannot have both.
The Bottom Line:
Columbia University’s failure to curb antisemitic protests has led to a federal crackdown, with the Trump administration threatening to pull $400 million in funding.
The school now faces a choice: enforce the law or suffer the financial consequences.
Given its history of inaction, federal pressure may be the only way to restore order and ensure Jewish students’ safety on campus.
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