The Trump administration has announced the immediate withdrawal of $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, citing the institution's failure to protect Jewish students from

harassment and antisemitic incidents.

In a joint statement, four federal agencies justified the decision by pointing to "continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students."

Columbia was a focal point of last year’s nationwide student protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel. Earlier this week, President Trump had warned that federal funding could be cut from universities that permitted "illegal protests."

Federal Response

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Jewish students at Columbia had been subjected to "relentless violence, intimidation, and antisemitic harassment" without adequate intervention from university leadership.

"Today, we send a clear message to Columbia and other universities: their inaction will no longer be tolerated," McMahon stated.

Columbia officials responded by saying they are reviewing the funding withdrawal and are committed to addressing antisemitism on campus. "We take our legal obligations seriously and are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff," a university spokesperson told the BBC.

Campus Protests and Broader Impact

Columbia, an Ivy League institution with around 30,000 students, witnessed some of the most intense campus demonstrations in the U.S. over the Gaza conflict.

The protests were sparked by Israel’s military response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. In retaliation, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza, where the Hamas-run health ministry reports over 48,000 Palestinian casualties.

A ceasefire was reached in January, but tensions have remained high following its expiration.

Funding and Fallout

Columbia interim president Katrina Armstrong described the funding loss as a "great risk" to the university, warning in a campus-wide email that it would significantly impact research, student programs, and patient care. Federal funds account for about $1.3 billion of the university’s annual budget.

Criticism of the decision came from the New York Civil Liberties Union, whose director, Donna Lieberman, called it an "illegal move to coerce colleges into censoring student speech and advocacy that isn’t MAGA-approved, like criticizing Israel or supporting Palestinian rights."

The issue has further divided students. Some, like Jewish campus group member Brian Cohen, welcomed the funding cut, calling it a "wake-up call" for Columbia to take antisemitism more seriously.

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue. The university confirmed the recent arrests of four students at Barnard College, an affiliated institution, for a "disruption," stating they have been suspended and barred from campus.

Columbia joins a growing list of universities facing scrutiny and financial consequences over their handling of campus protests related to the Israel-Gaza war. Photo by Momos, Wikimedia commons.