NEW: Trump admin pulls $400 million in grants to Columbia over antisemitism concerns on campus

The Trump administration has cut $400 million in grants to Columbia University, citing concerns over antisemitism on campus after the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel in 2023.  

According to a report from The Free Press, the cut is just the first round of grant cancellations for the school. The university currently has $5 billion in active federal government grants. This comes after Trump ordered the Department of Justice to create a task force to combat antisemitism at Columbia as well as other universities.  

Head of the DOJ's task force team is Leo Terrell, who said in a statement that the $400 million is "only the beginning." 

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a 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 to Jewish students studying on its campus." 

Columbia told the outlet in response, “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."

This week, the Trump administration had announced a “comprehensive review” of over $5 billion going to Columbia "in light of ongoing investigations for potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Within the four days of the announcement, the $400 million in grants were pulled.  

After October 7, the university had ongoing anti-Israel protests and even this week, students attempted to take over the library of the school, per Fox News. The protest led to nine arrests.  

McMahon said earlier this week, "Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses—repeatedly overrun by antisemitic students and agitators. Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled.” 

Earlier in January of this year, masked agitators wearing keffiyehs disrupted a history class on campus and distributed pamphlets that vowed to "Burn Zionism to the Ground."