Columbia University federal grants and contracts of nearly $400 million cancelled over anti-Semitism concerns

Investing.com -- Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the immediate cancellation of nearly $400 million in federal grants and contracts awarded to Columbia University. This action was taken due to the university’s lack of response to ongoing harassment of Jewish students. This is the first round of cancellations, and more are expected to follow.

The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, comprising the DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA, is currently reviewing potential additional cancellations. Columbia University holds over $5 billion in federal grant commitments.

On March 3rd, the Task Force informed the Acting President of Columbia University about a comprehensive review of the university’s federal contracts and grants. This review was prompted by ongoing investigations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Despite this, the university has reportedly not responded to the Task Force.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses – only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them.” She emphasized that universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws to receive federal funding, and criticized Columbia for abandoning its obligations to Jewish students.

President Trump has made it clear that colleges or universities that fail to protect students from anti-Semitic harassment could lose federal funding.

Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and head of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, said, “Cancelling these taxpayer funds is our strongest signal yet that the Federal Government is not going to be party to an educational institution like Columbia that does not protect Jewish students and staff.”

The cancellation of Columbia’s grants and contracts by the DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA serves as a warning to all educational institutions that receive federal money. The Administration is prepared to use all available means to protect Jewish students and fight anti-Semitism on college campuses.

Sean Keveney, HHS Acting General Counsel and Task Force member, stated, “Columbia University’s complacency is unacceptable.” The GSA will assist HHS and ED in issuing stop-work orders on grants and contracts that Columbia holds with those agencies, effectively freezing the university’s access to these funds.

Josh Gruenbaum, FAS Commissioner and Task Force member, said, “Columbia University, through their continued and shameful inaction to stop radical protestors from taking over buildings on campus and lack of response to the safety issues for Jewish students, and for that matter - all students - are not upholding the ideals of this Administration or the American people. Columbia cannot expect to retain the privilege of receiving federal taxpayer dollars if they will not fulfill their civil rights responsibilities to protect Jewish students from harassment and anti-Semitism.”

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