The Donald J. Trump administration has brought the fight against the elite universities in the US that espoused DEI practices and were soft on combating antisemitism.
Trump cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, accusing it of ignoring antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In his usual style, the president issued Columbia an ultimatum, demanding nine significant policy changes, including banning face masks during protests and disciplining students involved in demonstrations.
Under severe financial pressure, Columbia agreed to most of the administration’s demands by March 21, 2025, to negotiate the restoration of federal funding.
But today (23), Columbia University announced that it has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government.
They aim to restore federal research money that was canceled.
Associated Press reported:
“Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay the $200 million settlement over three years to the federal government, the university said. It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
‘This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty’, acting University President Claire Shipman said.”
Today’s agreement codifies the reforms made in response to the government’s demands.
Reuters reported:
“’Under today’s agreement, a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025—will be reinstated and Columbia’s access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored’, Columbia said in a statement.
[…] The announcement came one day after the university disciplined dozens of students over pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
In March, the Trump administration canceled grants and contracts worth about $400 million for the Ivy League school because of what it described as antisemitic harassment on and near the school’s New York City campus.”
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On Wednesday evening, President Trump boasted about the agreement reached with Columbia University.
“I am pleased to announce that the Trump Administration has reached a historic agreement with Columbia University. Columbia has agreed to pay a penalty of $200 Million Dollars to the United States Government for violating Federal Law, in addition to over $20 Million to their Jewish employees who were unlawfully targeted and harassed. Columbia has also committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus. Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming. It’s a great honor to have been involved, and I want to thank and congratulate Secretary Linda McMahon, and all those who worked with us on this important deal. I also want to thank and commend Columbia University for agreeing to do what is right. I look forward to watching them have a great future in our Country, maybe greater than ever before!” Trump said on Truth Social.
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