A federal judge shut down a lawsuit from teacher unions and professors who tried to force the Trump administration to reinstate $400 million in grants to Columbia University. The judge ruled they had no legal right to sue and slammed their argument as full of political noise and lacking legal substance.
Key Facts:
- A federal judge in New York dismissed a lawsuit from the AFT and university professors over $400 million in canceled grants to Columbia University.
- Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, appointed by President Trump, said the plaintiffs lacked standing and failed to show any legal violations.
- The lawsuit stemmed from the Trump administration canceling funding due to Columbia’s response to antisemitic incidents on campus.
- The judge criticized the plaintiffs for using “sensational rhetoric” and failing to understand the limits of judicial power.
- Columbia University itself did not join the lawsuit and is instead working with the administration to address concerns.
The Rest of The Story:
The legal challenge came from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), claiming the Trump administration violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by halting federal grant money.
The funds, primarily from the National Institutes of Health, had been cut following campus unrest and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which the administration said created a hostile environment.
Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil was blunt in her dismissal.
She ruled the plaintiffs had no legal standing, since the money went to Columbia itself—not to the professors or their unions.
“Our democracy cannot very well function if individual judges issue extraordinary relief to every plaintiff who clamors to object to executive action,” she wrote.
The judge also said there was no evidence the administration targeted protected speech, stating the government’s concern was about safety and a hostile atmosphere on campus—not political expression.
Columbia, which did not join the lawsuit, is instead engaging directly with the administration to resolve the issue.
"Our democracy cannot very well function if individual judges issue extraordinary relief to every plaintiff who clamors to object to executive action." – Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. Big win for President Trump. Thankful to see a district judge neutrally apply the law! pic.twitter.com/ciMDZ4o0SC
— Eric W. (@EWess92) June 16, 2025
Commentary:
This ruling is a strong reminder that just because someone disagrees with a policy doesn’t mean they have a legal right to sue over it.
The unions and professors attempted to use the courts as a weapon to reverse a lawful executive decision—and it failed, as it should.
No university has a right to taxpayer funding. These grants are privileges, not entitlements.
If a university allows behavior that creates a hostile environment—particularly involving antisemitism—it is the responsibility of the federal government to intervene.
The Trump administration made clear it wouldn’t tolerate weak responses to campus hate.
Columbia’s reluctance to act decisively prompted a reasonable response: cut off the money and demand change.
That’s accountability.
Judge Vyskocil’s ruling also stands as a textbook example of what it means to uphold the law without bending to media pressure or ideological intimidation.
She saw through the hollow arguments and denied a power grab disguised as a plea for justice.
This is the kind of judge America needs—one who understands that the courtroom is not a theater for political protest.
When judges step outside their legal boundaries to push a political cause, they undermine the rule of law.
Activist judges who legislate from the bench or cave to ideological groups should be removed.
The Constitution grants courts the power to interpret the law—not override the executive branch when it makes a lawful funding decision.
It’s refreshing to see a decision that doesn’t cave to mob politics.
This ruling affirms that courts must be guided by the law, not the headlines or the passions of the loudest voices.
The Bottom Line:
The dismissal of this lawsuit shows that courts still have boundaries, and not every political dispute belongs in a courtroom.
Judge Vyskocil followed the law and refused to give in to pressure from activist groups.
Universities must be held accountable if they accept federal money.
This ruling is a win for the rule of law and the separation of powers.
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