The administration of Donald Trump announced on Friday that over 400 million dollars in federal grants to Columbia University were cut due to concerns about the rise of antisemitism on campus and the university's inability to adequately address it. This decision comes after the start of a "comprehensive review" of over 5 billion dollars in federal funds allocated to Columbia, conducted by the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education (DoED), and the General Services Administration (GSA). The review focuses on clear violations of the Civil Rights Act concerning antisemitism on campus. In just four days since the announcement of the review, federal agencies have already begun withdrawing funds, and sources close to the matter indicated that more than 400 million dollars in federal funds from HHS and DoED will be canceled as a result of the persistent antisemitism on campus. Alrededor de 400 millones de dólares han sido quitados en medio de acusaciones de anti semitismo The situation could worsen as reviews are still ongoing and more federal funds could be rescinded. Recently, Columbia was the scene of violent anti-Israel protests reminiscent of the student sit-ins that occurred after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Students attempted to take over a campus library, leading to nine arrests last Wednesday. In light of these events, Linda McMahon, the Secretary of Education in the Trump administration, visited the campus to meet with university leaders and discuss concerns about antisemitism. McMahon stated that "Americans have watched in horror as, for over a year, Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed at elite universities, repeatedly invaded by antisemitic students and agitators. La secretaria de Educación visitó la universidad para reunirse con los líderes universitarios Illegal sit-ins and demonstrations have completely paralyzed daily campus operations, depriving Jewish students of the educational opportunities they are entitled to." The Secretary added that institutions receiving federal funds have a responsibility to protect all students from discrimination, and accused Columbia of failing to meet this basic commitment. The cut of over 400 million dollars in federal funds to Columbia aligns with President Trump's executive orders, which seek stronger action against antisemitism, especially on college campuses. As part of these orders, a Multi-Agency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism was established, whose first significant action was to review Columbia's funds. Desde la universidad se estableció una fuerza especial para combatir el antisemitismo In response, a university spokesperson expressed their intention to work with the government to restore federal funds, stating that Columbia takes its legal obligations seriously and is committed to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety of its students, faculty, and staff. However, the university faces strong criticism for not having taken sufficient measures to effectively address the problem. The impact of the funding cut is still unclear, as Columbia, which operates a medical center among other functions, is reviewing the situation and has not detailed which projects, research, or activities will be affected. The federal administration also launched a review of Columbia's eligibility to receive over 5 billion dollars in federal grants in the future. También se realizó una inspección de elegibilidad para otros 5 mil millones de dólares en financiamiento The decision to withdraw funds was viewed positively by the Jewish student group Columbia/Barnard Hillel, whose executive director, Brian Cohen, expressed hope that this would serve as a "wake-up call for Columbia's administration and trustees to take antisemitism and harassment of Jewish students and faculty seriously." On the other hand, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) criticized the measure, calling it an "unconstitutional" effort by the government to "coerce universities into censoring student speech and activities not approved by MAGA," referring to criticism of Israel or support for Palestinian rights. After learning of the large federal funding cut by the Trump administration, dozens of pro-Hamas students decided to invade the university campus and destroy it to the point of almost setting it on fire, this Friday afternoon.
Columbia has become the first target of President Trump's campaign to cut federal funds to universities accused of tolerating antisemitism, amid the war between Israel and Hamas that began in October 2023. The university was at the center of campus protests in the U.S. about the war last year, and in April, pro-Palestinian protesters set up an illegal camp that inspired similar protests at other universities. At that time, protesters occupied a building on Columbia's campus, resulting in dozens of arrests when police cleared the building. In response to the criticism, then-Columbia President Minouche Shafik stated she was personally committed to addressing antisemitism, but resigned months later. El año pasado decenas de protestas antisemitas se dieron en varias universidades a lo largo del país Subsequently, a university committee reported that Jewish and Israeli students had been excluded from student groups, humiliated in classrooms, and subjected to verbal abuse during demonstrations. In recent days, a smaller contingent of protesters briefly occupied buildings at Barnard College, which is affiliated with Columbia, to protest the expulsion of two students accused of disrupting a class on Israeli history. The issue of federal funding cuts to Columbia has become a focal point in discussions about free speech and antisemitism on college campuses, and other universities, such as the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Minnesota, are also under federal investigation for cases related to antisemitism.
