President Trump has cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University after finding the Ivy League institution deliberately neglected Jewish students subjected to antisemitic harassment.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Health and Human Services found Columbia University violated federal civil rights law through “deliberate indifference” toward antisemitic harassment of Jewish students.
- President Trump’s administration has canceled approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University as a consequence.
- Columbia has already reduced staff working on research projects affected by the funding withdrawal.
- The government report documents a hostile environment that has disrupted Jewish students’ education, safety, and well-being for over 19 months.
- This action is part of a broader Trump administration campaign targeting elite universities including Harvard, Princeton, and Northwestern.
Columbia’s “Deliberate Indifference” to Antisemitism
The Department of Health and Human Services has determined Columbia University violated federal civil rights law by failing to adequately address antisemitic harassment against Jewish students. The government investigation revealed that Columbia demonstrated deliberate indifference toward reports of harassment, creating an environment where Jewish students faced ongoing hostility without proper institutional intervention. This finding has triggered severe consequences, with the Trump administration taking decisive action to hold the university accountable for its failure to protect students from discrimination based on their Jewish identity.
“The findings carefully document the hostile environment Jewish students at Columbia University have had to endure for over 19 months, disrupting their education, safety, and well-being,” said Anthony Archeval of the Department of Health and Human Services.
đ¨NEW: HHSâs Civil Rights Office (@HHSOCR) finds that @Columbia violated Title VI âby acting with deliberate indifference towards student-on-student harassment of Jewish studentsâ. For example, HHS finds that Columbia failed:
â˘â â To establish effective reporting and⌠pic.twitter.com/3gVVxmduC7
— Columbia Jewish & Israeli Students âĄď¸đŽđą (@CUJewsIsraelis) May 23, 2025
Trump Administration Withdraws $400 Million in Funding
In response to these violations, President Trump’s administration has canceled approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University. This substantial financial penalty represents one of the most significant actions taken against an American university for civil rights violations in recent memory. The funding withdrawal has already had tangible impacts on Columbia’s operations, with the university confirming it has reduced staff working on research projects affected by the cuts. This decisive action demonstrates the administration’s commitment to enforcing federal civil rights protections and holding institutions accountable.
Columbia University issued a statement claiming âIt is deeply committed to combating antisemitism and all forms of harassment and discrimination on our campus. We take these issues seriously and will work with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to address them.”
The university’s rhetoric contrasts sharply with its documented actions. Despite multiple complaints and clear evidence of antisemitic incidents on campus, Columbia failed to implement effective measures to protect Jewish students. The federal investigation revealed numerous instances where the university administration was aware of harassment but took insufficient steps to address it. This pattern of inaction created an environment where antisemitic behavior was effectively tolerated, violating the civil rights of Jewish students who were entitled to equal educational opportunities free from discrimination and harassment.
Broader Campaign Against Elite Universities
The action against Columbia is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to address perceived bias and misconduct at elite American universities. Similar investigations have been launched at Harvard University, Princeton, and Northwestern, targeting issues ranging from campus protests to academic bias. These actions reflect President Trump’s campaign promises to reform higher education and ensure universities uphold basic standards of fairness and respect for all students regardless of background or identity. The administration’s willingness to use federal funding as leverage sends a clear message that universities must take their civil rights obligations seriously.
Columbia is now engaged in negotiations with federal officials to address the funding issues and improve student safety protocols. However, the university is reportedly resisting what it characterizes as government control over its academic and hiring decisions. This tension highlights the broader debate about institutional autonomy versus federal oversight in higher education. As this case proceeds, it will likely establish important precedents for how universities must balance their independence with their legal obligations to protect students from discrimination and harassment on campus.
