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The Trump team has cut $400 million in federal cash from Columbia. The team claims the school did not fix antisemitism. This act shakes the academic field. It also brings up hard questions about research and projects that need this money.
The government had already planned to check if Columbia was fit for about $5 billion in federal grants. It also stopped $51 million in contracts with the school. At the same time, Columbia set up a new group to review student actions linked to Israel. This step makes many worry over free speech on campus.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said, “Universities must follow all federal antidiscrimination laws if they take federal money." Her words put this matter in a wider scene. More schools now face close checks over antisemitism as the Israel-Palestine issues heat up.
Columbia said it would fight antisemitism and talk with the government to get back the lost funds. The school stressed the need to keep campus safe for students, teachers, and staff. This reply shows that Columbia takes the matter seriously.
The work of Columbia is wide. Its research and a large medical center depend on steady funds. Oceanographer Robert Newton, one of its teachers, said the loss of money creates deep worry. He thinks research plans and budgets for next year could feel the hit.
The funding cut has split opinions. Brian Cohen, who leads a Jewish student group at Columbia/Barnard Hillel, cheered the move. He sees it as a strong signal for the school to fix antisemitism incidents. On the other hand, the New York Civil Liberties Union called the move wrong. They argue that it tries to limit what students say when they support Palestinian rights.
Columbia is not the only school facing such scrutiny. Other colleges face checks over complaints of antisemitism. The politics of Israel and Palestine on campuses now draw strong views. Many students supporting Palestine often face pushback when they seek a safe space for Jewish peers.
In recent months, protests at Columbia have grown over Palestine matters. Campus actions increased when the Israel-Hamas fight grew. At its worst, protests led to the takeover of campus buildings. These events make people ask how free speech and a safe school can meet.
The cash cut matters a lot. It affects not only Columbia but also how higher education gets money. As politics shape research funding and free speech rules, colleges must figure out how to speak up while following the law.
Columbia now checks the government’s move and plans its next steps. The academic world watches closely. The future of research at these schools may depend on how they balance open debate with keeping campuses safe.