The Trump administration said it is canceling $400 million of federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing civil rights complaints against the Ivy League school by Jewish students.
A joint task force of federal agencies said Friday that the move represents the first round of action against schools for their alleged failure to address antisemitism on campus, and that additional measures may follow. The cancelled grants come from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education and the U.S. General Services Administration. Columbia has more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments, the agencies said.
“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,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the statement. “Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation,” she said.
Columbia said it is reviewing the announcement and pledged to work with the government to restore the funding.
“We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is,” Columbia said in a statement. The school is “committed to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.”
