U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon expressed support for Columbia University’s efforts to recover federal funding after the prestigious New York institution agreed to implement a series of policy changes requested by the Trump administration.
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, McMahon shared that she had “great conversations” with Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, regarding the changes. McMahon emphasized Armstrong’s commitment to ensuring that students on campus were safe and that the university would address any form of discrimination, including the issue of antisemitism.
On Friday, Armstrong announced that Columbia University would place its Middle East studies department under new leadership and revise its policies on protests and student discipline. The university also agreed to adopt a new definition of antisemitism and enhance “intellectual diversity” by strengthening its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, as outlined in a statement posted on the university’s website.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration cut $400 million in research grants and other funding from Columbia University due to its handling of protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. To be considered for the restoration of these funds and future grants, federal officials required the university to make nine specific changes to its academic and security policies.
Armstrong’s decision to comply with the administration’s demands was met with criticism from some faculty members and free speech organizations, who argued that the university was yielding to President Trump’s rare interference in academic freedom.
When asked if the university had taken sufficient steps to restore its funding, McMahon responded, “We are on the right track now to ensure that the final negotiations to release that money will be in place.”
The Trump administration’s actions against Columbia University, which became the center of a major pro-Palestinian protest movement last spring, have created a crisis on campus and raised concerns about similar measures at other universities nationwide.
On March 8, federal immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, an activist who had served as a spokesperson and negotiator for the pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, is currently challenging his detention and possible deportation in court.
