the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, the Trump administration has revoked $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University, citing “relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment” on campus. The decision, announced by the Department of Education, comes as part of a broader crackdown on universities that fail to comply with anti-discrimination laws.
Why Did the Federal Government Cut Columbia’s Funding?
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that Columbia had “abandoned its obligation to Jewish students” and that additional funding cancellations may follow. The university, which holds more than $5 billion in federal grants, now faces uncertainty regarding which programs will be impacted by the funding loss.
A Columbia spokesperson responded that the university is reviewing the decision and will work with federal officials to restore funding.
Campus Protests and Rising Tensions
Columbia has been at the center of student protests since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations escalated last spring when students set up encampments and later occupied Hamilton Hall, leading to mass arrests by the NYPD.
The university’s response sparked Congressional hearings, an overhaul of campus policies, and the resignation of its president, Minouche Shafik. A university task force found that hundreds of Jewish students had faced harassment and discrimination, though some criticized the findings. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian students have also reported harassment and disciplinary actions.
Federal Investigations Ongoing
The protests have continued into 2025, with pro-Palestinian demonstrators recently occupying Milbank Hall at Barnard College. Their action followed the expulsion of two Barnard students for disrupting a “History of Modern Israel” class. Authorities later cleared the building after a bomb threat was reported.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Education confirmed that investigations into antisemitism at Columbia are still ongoing.
“Freezing the funds is one of the tools we are using to respond to this spike in anti-Semitism,” DOJ lawyer Leo Terrell stated. “This is only the beginning.”
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Long, long overdue.
They have a $15 Billion endowment fund. Why in the world would US taxpayers have any reason to send them $400 million? Cease all these payments to all colleges and universities now. DOGE, get on it.
same with harvards endowment fund.
they should also be made to pay taxes on those endowments
Love it !