U.S. Federal Government Cancels $400 million for Columbia University

What happened?

One of last week’s big news stories was the U.S. Federal Government canceling $400 million in grants and contracts for Columbia University “due to the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said, “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. Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus. Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer.”

The cancelled sum represents about 8% of the $5 billion in federal grant commitments to Columbia University today.

Editorial:

The main argument used by people in defense of the campus protestors is free speech. They say that students have the right to protest.

While free speech is a core and necessary freedom granted in the U.S. Constitution, its use in defending these protestors is highly flawed.

For one, the university is a private enterprise with a code of conduct. The protestors are taking over and damaging property. Their slogans, “From the River to the Sea Palestine will be free,” and “Intifada,” represent genocidal intentions.

Imagine groups of college students on a university campus dressed up as Klansman taking over buildings while chanting slogans akin to death to black Americans. Most Americans would be enraged and call for closing the university. Yet, this is exactly what’s being allowed towards Jewish Americans.

Furthermore, there is at least a reasonable concern that some of these protestors are acting at the behest of America’s enemies, and in support of them. The Houthis include “Death to America” in the their political slogan. Hamas is officially labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. If money to fund these protests is coming from groups affiliated with America’s enemies, then what significance does that hold?

So our conclusion is that these types of protests do not belong on college campuses. College is for learning and research, and colleges are responsible for ensuring all students have a safe environment in which to learn.

Its also important to point out that American Universities are one of the great hallmarks of America’s admiration by the world. Keeping the reputation is important, and the protests take from that, often making a mockery of our education system rather than exemplifying its great prowess.

Note

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Sources

• “DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA Announce Initial Cancellation of Grants and Contracts to Columbia University Worth $400 Million.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2025/03/07/doj-hhs-ed-gsa-announce-initial-cancellation-grants-contracts-columbia-university-worth-400-million.html
• “Rules of University Conduct.” Columbia University, https://universitypolicies.columbia.edu/content/rules-university-conduct