Politics
NEW: Trump Cuts $400M In Grants To Liberal University
The Trump administration has taken swift and decisive action against Columbia University, cutting approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts over the school’s failure to address persistent harassment of Jewish students. The move, announced by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), marks the first round of federal funding cuts, with more expected to follow.
The decision stems from the administration’s large crackdown on anti-Semitism on college campuses. Columbia University, which holds over $5 billion in federal grant commitments, has faced ongoing scrutiny for allowing a climate of hostility against Jewish students, particularly in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent protests on campus. According to officials, the university’s leadership failed to adequately respond to mounting complaints of violence, intimidation, and discrimination targeting Jewish students.
“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,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation. Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer.”
The announcement comes after the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which includes officials from DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA, notified Columbia’s Acting President on March 3 that the university’s federal contracts and grants were under review. Since then, federal authorities say conditions on campus have not improved, prompting the funding freeze.
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“Freezing the funds is one of the tools we are using to respond to this spike in anti-Semitism. This is only the beginning,” said Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and head of the DOJ’s anti-Semitism task force. “Canceling these taxpayer funds is our strongest signal yet that the federal government is not going to be party to an educational institution like Columbia that does not protect Jewish students and staff.”
The administration’s action adds weight to President Trump’s firm stance that colleges and universities permitting illegal protests and failing to protect students from anti-Semitic harassment will face severe financial consequences. The funding cuts are a warning shot to institutions nationwide that fail to uphold federal civil rights protections.
“Doing business with the Federal Government is a privilege,” said Josh Gruenbaum, Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner and Task Force member. “Columbia University, through their continued and shameful inaction to stop radical protestors from taking over buildings on campus and lack of response to the safety issues for Jewish students—and for that matter, all students—are not upholding the ideals of this Administration or the American people.”
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The General Services Administration will now assist HHS and ED in issuing stop-work orders on Columbia’s existing grants and contracts, immediately freezing the university’s access to these funds. Additionally, federal agencies will continue reviewing additional funding streams to determine if further action is necessary.
As investigations continue, other institutions could soon face similar consequences if they fail to act.
Following the announcement, Columbia pledged to collaborate with the Trump administration in an effort to regain the revoked federal funds. “We are reviewing the announcement from the federal agencies and pledge to work with the federal government to restore Columbia’s federal funding.”
“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,” a university spokesperson told NBC News.
