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Clara Montgomery
Trump Targets Columbia University in Antisemitism Funding Initiative
President Trump has targeted Columbia University in his campaign against antisemitism by proposing to cut federal funding for colleges that permit it. Federal agencies are evaluating Columbia’s contracts and grants due to allegations of discrimination against Jewish students. Trump aims to enforce strict measures against universities failing to combat antisemitism, indicating broader implications for higher education nationwide.
In a significant move against antisemitism, President Donald Trump has identified Columbia University as the first target of his administration’s initiative to withhold federal funding from colleges allegedly enabling antisemitic behavior. This announcement follows the increased scrutiny during the Israel-Hamas conflict, with federal agencies now reviewing $51 million in contracts and over $5 billion in federal grants to the institution.
President Trump declared on social media that any college tolerating “illegal protests” would face funding cuts, asserting that individuals engaging in such activities could face imprisonment or deportation. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized Columbia’s failure to protect its Jewish students from discrimination, questioning the university’s capacity to remain a federal grantee.
In response, Columbia University stated its commitment to collaborate with the administration in combating antisemitism, affirming its position against violence or terror being promoted on campus. Additionally, Trump has pledged strict measures to penalize colleges that do not adequately address antisemitism, including potential deportation for foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Columbia is among five other universities now under federal investigation, including prestigious institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, and Northwestern University, as part of the broader initiative to ensure compliance with civil rights laws. The investigations will assess these universities’ adherence to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination.
Professor Joseph Howley of Columbia, who has expressed support for pro-Palestinian protests, cautioned against capitulating to the pressures from the Trump administration, suggesting that the administration harbors a longstanding animosity towards universities. The scrutiny intensified after protests erupted across U.S. campuses last spring, with Columbia at the forefront of the demonstrations.
The university faced significant turmoil, evidenced by a student-led occupation of campus facilities and associated confrontations with law enforcement. Factors contributing to this unrest have culminated in the resignation of President Minouche Shafik and calls for accountability from other universities regarding their handling of antisemitism issues.
A December report spearheaded by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson found widespread failure among colleges to adequately address antisemitism, spotlighting universities such as Columbia and Harvard. The report urged the executive branch to rigorously enforce civil rights laws, suggesting that institutions failing to meet these standards should face stringent repercussions for mishandling taxpayer funds.
President Trump’s campaign against college antisemitism begins with Columbia University, as his administration evaluates its federal funding amid allegations of discrimination. The initiative underscores a national concern regarding the treatment of Jewish students and the accountability of academic institutions. As federal investigations unfold, other universities also face scrutiny, highlighting a critical moment for higher education in addressing diversity and inclusivity issues.
Original Source: apnews.com
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