$400 million of Columbia University's federal funds canceled by Trump administration
SUMMARY
The Trump administration yanked $400 million in grants and contracts from Columbia University on Friday, pointing to what it calls the school’s failure to tackle “persistent harassment” of Jewish students. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said universities must follow anti-discrimination laws to keep federal cash, accusing Columbia of dropping the ball since the Israel-Hamas war kicked off in October 2023. Columbia’s promised to work with the feds to get the funds back, stressing they’re serious about fighting antisemitism. Students are split—some, like Maya Cukieman, see it as a push for change; others, like Wesley Epps, worry it stifles free speech. The move’s part of a bigger crackdown, with Trump threatening to defund schools over “illegal protests.” A task force is eyeing ten campuses, including Harvard and UCLA, for similar issues. Columbia’s $5 billion in federal grants is under review, and DOJ’s Leo Terrell says this is just the start.
