Trump Administration Hits Columbia University With a Massive Penalty Over Anti-Semitism

The Trump Administration has canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing the school’s alleged failure to address antisemitism and protect Jewish students following complaints filed under civil rights laws.

Key Facts:

The Trump Administration has canceled $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University over antisemitism concerns
This action is described as the “first round” against schools failing to address campus antisemitism
Columbia has more than $5 billion in total federal grant commitments at stake
Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized Columbia for ignoring harassment of Jewish students since October 7
Columbia has pledged to work with the government to restore the funding

The Rest of The Story:

The funding cut was announced by a joint task force of federal agencies, which warned that additional measures may follow against universities failing to comply with federal antidiscrimination laws.

Secretary McMahon specifically called out Columbia for abandoning its obligation to protect Jewish students who have faced “relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment” on campus since October 7.

In response, Columbia University issued a statement saying it is reviewing the announcement and understanding the seriousness of the situation.

The university stated it is “committed to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff” and intends to work with the government to have the funding restored.

NEWS: ED & fellow members of the Task Force to Combat Antisemitism (@TheJusticeDept, @HHSGov, & @USGSA) announced the cancelation of ~$400M federal grants to @Columbia due to their continued inaction to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment. https://t.co/BUxTNm0T3Z pic.twitter.com/T8lQtbRqlD

— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) March 7, 2025

Commentary:

This decisive action by the Trump Administration sends a long-overdue message to academic institutions across America.

For too long, elite universities like Columbia have allowed a climate of hostility toward Jewish students to fester unchecked on their campuses.

The scenes that have unfolded at Columbia since October 7 should alarm any American who values basic civil rights.

Jewish students have reported being harassed, intimidated, and made to feel unsafe in what should be an environment dedicated to learning and free exchange of ideas.

Columbia let antisemitism run amok to cater to lunatic fringe and paid provocateurs.

Leadership allowed those assholes to take over the campus and terrorize Jewish students.

Now, Columbia pays for its failure and I support that. pic.twitter.com/k1kNYfnsMu

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) March 7, 2025

Yet university leadership has repeatedly failed to take meaningful action.

This $400 million funding cut represents accountability in its most concrete form.

When institutions receive billions in taxpayer dollars, they must uphold their legal and moral obligations to protect all students, regardless of their faith or background.

What’s particularly revealing is that it took federal intervention to force Columbia’s hand.

Only now, faced with significant financial consequences, is the university pledging to address these serious concerns.

This pattern of institutional negligence toward antisemitism deserves this strong response.

PLEASE DO NOT share this photo of Barnard and Columbia students who were arrested yesterday after violently taking over the library.

It would be a shame if their faces went viral. pic.twitter.com/KlvMIkg7dy

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) March 7, 2025

Other universities should take note: federal funding comes with responsibilities, and turning a blind eye to discrimination against any group of students will have consequences.

Higher education cannot pick and choose which forms of bigotry deserve attention.

It’s worth noting the irony that after years of baseless claims about the previous administration’s supposed fascist tendencies, we now see decisive action against actual discrimination.

This move demonstrates a commitment to protecting minority rights that stands in stark contrast to the rhetoric we’ve heard.

The Bottom Line:

The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold $400 million from Columbia University represents a significant financial penalty for alleged failures to address campus antisemitism.

The government has signaled this is just the first step in holding universities accountable for protecting Jewish students from discrimination.

Columbia now faces the choice of demonstrating real commitment to combating antisemitism or potentially losing billions more in federal funding.