Today's News: Trump Administration Cancels Federal Grants to Columbia University

The administration canceled approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia, citing the institution’s failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment.

Photo: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Overview

• Date: March 7, 2025

• Topic: Trump Administration Cancels $400 Million in Federal Grants to Columbia University Over Antisemitism Allegations

• Summary: The Trump administration has canceled approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing the institution’s failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment. The move follows a federal investigation into antisemitism on campus and comes amid ongoing protests related to the Israel-Gaza war. Columbia officials have pledged to work with the government to restore the funding, while critics argue the decision is politically motivated and could threaten academic freedom.

Sources

• The New York Times – Trump Administration Live Updates: Columbia University Loses $400 Million in Federal Grants and Contracts

• CNN – Trump administration cancels $400M in grants and contracts with Columbia University

• NBC News – Trump administration cancels $400 million in grants for Columbia University

• The Washington Post – Trump administration cancels $400 million in grants to Columbia University

• Wall Street Journal – Trump Administration Cancels $400 Million in Grants and Contracts to Columbia

Note: Fox News did not have any prominently positioned reporting that I could find on this story.

Key Points

• The Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts for Columbia University, citing a failure to address antisemitism.

• The funding cut was ordered by multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Columbia has faced scrutiny due to campus protests over the Israel-Gaza war, with some Jewish students reporting harassment.

• University officials have stated they are reviewing the decision and will work to restore the funding.

• The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to pressure universities over antisemitism concerns.

Unique Highlights

• The New York Times emphasized the political and financial impact, noting that more than a quarter of Columbia’s revenue comes from federal sources and that further funding cuts could follow.

• CNN provided details on the federal review process, mentioning that the government had considered suspending $51 million in contracts before making the broader decision.

• NBC News highlighted that the administration's Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism led the investigation and suggested further measures could be taken against other universities.

• The Washington Post pointed out that the decision to pull funding was made unusually quickly, bypassing the typically lengthy investigative process for civil rights violations.

• The Wall Street Journal reported that some grants from the National Institutes of Health were spared, and Columbia may have a 30-day period to negotiate a reversal.

Contrasting Details

• The New York Times and The Washington Post noted that Columbia’s response included a pledge to cooperate, while CNN suggested that Columbia's disciplinary actions against pro-Palestinian activists may have contributed to federal scrutiny.

• NBC News and WSJ reported that Columbia’s president had already met with federal officials in an effort to restore funding, while The Washington Post highlighted skepticism about the legal basis for such an immediate funding cut.

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