Another Trump victory: Columbia ready to cooperate after $400 million funding cut over antisemitism scandal

Columbia University has expressed its willingness to work with the Trump administration after facing the loss of $400 million in federal grants over ongoing allegations of antisemitism on campus. The cuts were made following the Ivy League school failure to address harassment faced by Jewish students.

In a letter issued on Friday, Columbia’s Interim President, Katrina Armstrong, acknowledged the significant impact the funding cuts would have on the university’s research and operations but assured that the school was taking the matter “very seriously.” Armstrong also made it clear that Columbia is ready to address the concerns raised by the Trump administration.

“I knew Columbia needed a reset from the previous year and the chaos of encampments and protests on our campus,” Armstrong wrote. “The University also needed to acknowledge and repair the damage to our Jewish students, who were targeted, harassed, and made to feel unsafe or unwelcome on our campus last spring.”

Armstrong further noted that Columbia’s disciplinary process had “previously only existed on paper,” which seemed to be a direct critique of former President Minouche Shafik. Shafik resigned in August 2024 following months of anti-Israel protests, including a large encampment at the center of the campus and the takeover of university buildings.

The Trump administration’s decision to revoke the $400 million in federal grants came just days after federal agencies announced a "comprehensive review" of the school’s actions regarding antisemitism. The review was initiated by the Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, which investigated whether Columbia’s failure to act violated the Civil Rights Act.

“Columbia has abandoned its obligation to protect Jewish students,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in a statement. “Today, we demonstrate that we will not tolerate this appalling inaction any longer.”

This decision to rescind funding follows a string of antisemitic incidents on campus, including a protest in January where students interrupted an Israeli history class and distributed antisemitic flyers. The students involved were expelled, sparking further protests at Barnard College, Columbia’s sister school, where multiple arrests were made during a library takeover.

Columbia University has indicated that it will cooperate with federal authorities to strengthen its disciplinary process and address the issues at hand, although it remains to be seen how the university will move forward in light of these challenges.