United States: Linda McMahon the U.S. Education Secretary commended the steps taken by Columbia University as part the Trump administration’s pressure to regain lost federal funds due to claims of campus antisemitism, as reported by Reuters.
“We are on the right track now to make sure the final negotiations to unfreeze that money will be in place,” McMahon said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Security and Disciplinary Changes Introduced
On Friday the New York City Ivy League university presented its plan to reform disciplinary protocol alongside the addition of security personnel with arrest authority while creating an expanded role to evaluate Middle Eastern studies departments. Campus regulations prohibit wearing face masks unless students want to infiltrate academics or law staff.
Trump’s administration withdrew over $400 million in federal funding from the university, claiming that it had “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.” This prompted the adjustments.
US Education Secretary Linda McMahon Praises Columbia University’s Progress
— Breaking News of the Day (@Breakingne66541) March 23, 2025
US Education Secretary Linda McMahon has announced that Columbia University is “on the right track” to restoring federal funding after implementing several reforms mandated by the Trump administration.… pic.twitter.com/XI750g7tLJ
Positive Talks with University Leadership
McMahon reported that she has had positive discussions with Katrina Armstrong, the university’s acting president.
“She said she knew that this was her responsibility to make sure that children on her campus were safe. She wanted to make sure there was no discrimination of any kind,” McMahon said.
“She wanted to address any systemic issues that were identified relative to the antisemitism on campus, so they have worked very hard in a very short period of time.”
Campus Tensions and Public Scrutiny
Columbia University became a subject of public examination due to its leadership position in the anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian student protests during the Gaza conflict triggered by Hamas’ October 7th offensive against the Jewish state in 2023.
During demonstrations Pro-Palestinian activists along with pro-Israel demonstrators encountered accusations of antisemitic behavior along with racial hatred and xenophobia.
Balancing Free Speech and Antisemitism Prevention
The university stands behind its statement that it has established a careful equilibrium between free speech protection and antisemitism prevention while eliminating all prejudicial actions.
Columbia University serves as a model for other universities under scrutiny by the Trump administration because of its reaction to the administration’s policy initiatives regarding campus protests and transgender sports and diversity programs, as reported by Reuters.
Specific faculty members alongside students controversially criticize Columbia University for surrendering to Trump administration orders.