Columbia University is seemingly prepared to collaborate with President Donald Trump and his administration. The university’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, released a letter on Friday addressing the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate $400 million in federal grants to the institution. Federal agencies that opted to cut ties with Columbia cited the Ivy League school’s “ongoing inaction amid persistent harassment against Jewish students.”
In her letter, Armstrong stated that the funding reductions would “immediately affect research and other vital operations,” yet she does not disregard the Trump administration’s assertions. Rather, Armstrong emphasized that the university takes the funding cuts “very seriously” and stands ready to engage with the government regarding its “legitimate concerns.”
Student protesters march around their encampment on the Columbia University campus, Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
TRUMP CUTS MORE THAN $400 MILLION IN GRANTS TO COLUMBIA OVER ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS, POTENTIALLY MORE TO COME
“When I took on the role of Interim President in August 2024, I recognized that Columbia needed a fresh start after the previous year’s turmoil and protests on our campus,” Armstrong noted in her letter. “The University also needed to confront and mend the harm done to our Jewish students, who faced targeting and harassment, making them feel unsafe or unwelcome last spring.”
In a revealing part of her correspondence, Armstrong acknowledged that Columbia University’s disciplinary procedures “previously existed only on paper,” which may be seen as a critique of former Columbia President Minouche Shafik.
In August 2024, Shafik resigned following a prolonged period of anti-Israel demonstrations, which included a significant encampment in the heart of the campus and the occupation of a building.
A pro-Palestine rally is held at the steps of Lowe Library on the grounds of Columbia University on April 22, 2024, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
NYPD MAKES MULTIPLE ARRESTS AT BARNARD COLLEGE AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS TAKE OVER LIBRARY
On Friday, the Trump administration announced its decision to rescind nearly $400 million in federal funds to Columbia due to the university’s approach to antisemitism.
The White House subsequently shared a tweet featuring the phrase “Shalom Columbia,” likely referencing a message Trump conveyed to Hamas earlier that week.
This funding reduction occurred shortly after the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Justice (DOJ), Education (DoE), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) initiated a “comprehensive review” of Columbia’s federal grants. These agencies referenced the recently established Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, which is examining whether Columbia violated the Civil Rights Act by failing to act on harassment incidents involving Jewish students.
“For too long, Columbia has neglected its obligations to Jewish students attending its campus,” stated Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Today, we are demonstrating to Columbia and other universities that their unacceptable inaction will not be tolerated any longer.”
Members of an anti-Israel mob broke into Hamilton Hall at Columbia University on April 30, 2024. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
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In recent weeks, Columbia University has witnessed a resurgence of anti-Israel activism. In January, students infiltrated an Israeli history class and distributed flyers containing antisemitic and hate-filled language.
As a result, those students were expelled, igniting protests at Columbia’s sister institution, Barnard College. Multiple demonstrators were arrested after they occupied the Barnard College library in opposition to the expulsions.
