Trump admin weighs pause in federal funding for Columbia University amid anti-semitism on campus

The Department of Health and Human Services, (HHS), Department of Education, and the General Services Administration (GSA) announced on Monday an in-depth review of Columbia University’s federal contracts in response to ongoing Title VI violation investigations.

The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is reportedly considering issuing "Stop Work Orders" for $51.4 million in contracts given to the university in light of the school’s "ongoing inaction in the face of relentless harassment of Jewish students," a press release stated.

The task force will also be conducting a comprehensive review of over $5 billion in federal grants to the university "to ensure the university is in compliance with federal regulations, including its civil rights responsibilities."

HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said in a statement, "Anti-Semitism – like racism – is a spiritual and moral malady that sickens societies and kills people with lethalities comparable to history’s most deadly plagues. In recent years, the censorship and false narratives of woke cancel culture have transformed our great universities into greenhouses for this deadly and virulent pestilence. Making America healthy means building communities of trust and mutual respect, based on speech freedom and open debate."

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who was confirmed to her post on Monday evening, said, "Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses. Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled. Institutions that receive federal funds have a responsibility to protect all students from discrimination. Columbia’s apparent failure to uphold their end of this basic agreement raises very serious questions about the institution’s fitness to continue doing business with the United States government."

The Task Force’s review of Columbia University funds is the first major action announced from the multi-agency task force established by an executive order signed by Trump in his first days in office.

Columbia University said in a statement, "We are reviewing tonight’s communication from the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and General Services Administration. Columbia is fully committed to combating anti-semitism and all forms of discrimination, and we are resolute that calling for, promoting, or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our University. We look forward to ongoing work with the new federal administration to fight anti-semitism, and we will continue to make all efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff."

In January, masked agitators disrupted a Jewish history class at the school and handed out anti-semitic flyers to the class, including one that vowed to "Burn Zionism to the Ground." The Department of Education in February announced investigations into Columbia and four other colleges over anti-semitism on their campuses.

In December, the AMCHA Initiative ranked schools across the country on measures of anti-Zionism, with Columbia ranking the worst out of all Ivy League schools. In April 2024, an anti-Israel encampment was set up at Columbia University, like other campuses across the nation. The agitators, many of whom were not students, eventually broke into and occupied Hamilton Hall.