Columbia University reaches $221 million settlement under Trump administration pressure

Thursday 24 July 2025 - 10:15

Columbia University announced on Wednesday a $221 million settlement with the U.S. federal government to halt investigations led by the Trump administration. These investigations targeted several academic institutions, accusing them of allowing anti-Israel protests in the wake of the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The agreement includes a $200 million payment over three years to the federal government, and an additional $21 million to an agency dedicated to equal opportunity. In return, most federal grants suspended in March 2025 are expected to be restored, the university stated.

Since retaking office in January, President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on universities, particularly Columbia, by freezing hundreds of millions in federal research grants. The move is part of a broader conservative campaign to combat perceived antisemitism and what they describe as left-wing bias on U.S. campuses.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon hailed the settlement as a “cataclysmic turning point” in holding publicly funded institutions accountable for what she called “institutional antisemitism.” She praised Trump’s "tough stance" and said the deal would lead to structural reforms at Columbia, including changes in Middle East studies programs and the elimination of race-based admissions and diversity policies.

President Trump echoed these sentiments, warning other universities of potential consequences, accusing them of being "unfair" and "harmful" to students.

While Columbia denies tolerating antisemitism, it acknowledged the public pressure. In its statement, the university emphasized that the settlement maintains its autonomy in academic decisions, hiring, and admissions.

Columbia’s president, who had previously sanctioned students involved in pro-Gaza protests, was booed by graduates during the May commencement ceremony. Many accused her of capitulating to government demands.

Meanwhile, Harvard has taken a defiant stance, challenging the Trump administration in court over the revocation of more than $2.6 billion in federal funding and its SEVIS certification, crucial for international students. A federal court has now demanded that the administration justify those funding suspensions.