Trump punishing Columbia University over its solidarity with Gaza by cutting $400 million of Federal grants
The Trump administration said Friday it will cut $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University over allegations the prestigious academic institution has stood idly by as ongoing harassment of Jewish students during anti-Israel protests.
Four government agencies announced in a statement the immediate cancellation of nearly $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University for its continued failure to address the ongoing harassment of Jewish students.
Trump said earlier this week he would withdraw funding from universities that allow illegal protests, in his latest threat to cut federal funding for the country’s education system.
Student protests against Israel’s war in Gaza last year were held at several American universities, including Columbia University, following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to accusations of anti-Semitism.
The funding cut is the first round of action, the US General Services Administration said in a statement Friday, with additional funding cuts expected to follow.
“Since October 7, Jewish students on their college campuses have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment… only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them,” said US Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
“Universities must comply with all federal anti-discrimination laws if they want to receive federal funding,” she added.
“Columbia has long abandoned this commitment to the Jewish students who study on its campus… Today, we are demonstrating to Columbia and other universities that we will no longer tolerate their appalling inaction,” she added.
