Trump administration praises reforms addressing antisemitism, protest rules, and academic oversight
Columbia University is poised to regain access to $400 million in frozen federal funding, according to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, following a series of policy changes the Ivy League school agreed to implement in response to pressure from the Trump administration.
Speaking Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, McMahon said the university’s leadership has taken “responsible and constructive steps” after the administration suspended funding over concerns about campus safety and its handling of pro-Palestinian protests.
“We are on the right track now to make sure the final negotiations to unfreeze that money will be in place,” McMahon said. She cited “great conversations” with Columbia’s interim president, Dr. Katrina Armstrong, who pledged to root out discrimination and strengthen protections for all students.
Federal Demands Trigger Sweeping Changes at Columbia
Earlier this month, the Department of Education froze hundreds of millions in grants and research funding after Columbia was accused of failing to respond appropriately to rising antisemitic rhetoric and aggressive campus demonstrations linked to Israel’s war in Gaza.
To restore access to funding, Columbia agreed to:
- Place its Middle East Studies department under new academic supervision
- Revise protest and student discipline policies
- Adopt a new federal definition of antisemitism
- Expand intellectual diversity by hiring more faculty for its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies
The administration outlined nine specific demands as part of the funding negotiations, aimed at reshaping how universities respond to student activism and political discourse on campus.
Campus Tensions Rise as Critics Warn of Academic Overreach
While federal officials applauded Columbia’s swift compliance, the changes have stirred controversy. Faculty groups and free speech advocates argue the university has capitulated to unprecedented federal interference in academic governance.
“Acceding to political demands risks chilling campus discourse and undermining core principles of academic freedom,” said a statement from a coalition of faculty members.
Columbia’s reforms also follow the high-profile arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-American activist and former spokesperson for last year’s student encampments. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was detained by federal immigration officials on March 8 and is now fighting deportation.
A Warning Signal for Other U.S. Universities
The Trump administration’s actions against Columbia have sent shockwaves through higher education. University leaders nationwide are closely watching the outcome, concerned about whether federal research funding could be weaponized to influence campus policy elsewhere.
McMahon defended the administration’s stance, saying the intent is to protect students and ensure federal funds are used responsibly.
“She [Armstrong] knew it was her responsibility to make sure that children on her campus were safe,” McMahon said. “She wanted to address any systemic issues relative to the antisemitism on campus.”
What’s Next?
While McMahon stopped short of announcing a formal reinstatement of funding, her remarks confirm that Columbia is nearing compliance with federal conditions. Final decisions are expected in the coming weeks, as ongoing negotiations between the university and the Department of Education continue.
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