The Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and the U.S. General Services Administration have announced the cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University. This action is a response to the university's failure to address ongoing harassment of Jewish students on campus. The cancellations mark the first round of actions with more expected as part of an ongoing review by the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.
On March 3, Columbia University's Acting President was informed that a comprehensive review would be conducted on its federal contracts and grants due to investigations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Despite this notice, anti-Semitic harassment reportedly continues at Columbia, with no response from the university.
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 federal antidiscrimination laws if they wish to receive federal funding.
Josh Gruenbaum Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner
| U.S. General Services Administration
President Trump has made it clear that institutions allowing illegal protests and failing to protect students from anti-Semitic harassment risk losing federal funding. Leo Terrell from the DOJ Task Force remarked, "Freezing the funds is one of the tools we are using... Canceling these taxpayer funds is our strongest signal yet."
This action sends a message that educational institutions receiving federal support must protect Jewish students and combat anti-Semitism. Sean Keveney from HHS noted Columbia’s "complacency is unacceptable."
The GSA will assist HHS and ED in issuing stop-work orders on grants held by Columbia University, freezing access to these funds immediately. Josh Gruenbaum from GSA commented on Columbia's failure to uphold civil rights responsibilities: "Columbia cannot expect to retain the privilege of receiving federal taxpayer dollars if they will not fulfill their civil rights responsibilities."
Further information can be found in a joint press release by HHS, ED, and GSA dated March 3.
