The Trump administration is threatening to yank $50 million in Columbia University‘s federal funding, accusing the school of failing to address claims of antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian protests.
On Monday night, the U.S. Education Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and General Services Administration announced a federal review of more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments at the Morningside Heights university.
As part of the probe, a federal task force on antisemitism will consider stop-work orders for $51.4 million in current federal contracts at Columbia, according to a press release. No contracts had been cancelled at the time of the announcement.
“Institutions that receive federal funds have a responsibility to protect all students from discrimination,” read a statement Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who was confirmed Monday. “Columbia’s apparent failure to uphold their end of this basic agreement raises very serious questions about the institution’s fitness to continue doing business with the United States government.”
Last week, the task force announced it would visit 10 college campuses, including Columbia and New York University, as part of its antisemitism probe.
Columbia became the epicenter for pro-Palestinian protests last spring when a campus encampment supporting Gaza inspired copycat tent cities across the country. The demonstration came to a head in April when protesters occupied an academic building, Hamilton Hall.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.