US Government Cracks Down on Columbia University Amid Ongoing Investigations
The Justice Department investigates Columbia University for racial discrimination in protests while the Department of Education probes admissions processes at over 50 universities.
Columbia has come under immense pressure from the Trump administration in recent weeks, with the U.S. government canceling $400 million in federal funding for the school, much of it for medical research, as punishment for not cracking down harder on students and faculty who criticized Israel’s military action in Gaza.
Justice Department investigates Columbia University amid growing deportation crackdown
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This authoritarian power-grab at Columbia aligns with a broader conservative push to impose its political will on American universities, which Vice President JD Vance has previously called “the enemy.”
Trump administration issues list of demands to Columbia to restore funding
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The demands include abolishing the university judicial board, an internal disciplinary body; formalizing the college’s definition of antisemitism; banning masks "intended to conceal identity or intimidate" on campus, often used by protesters; and granting full law enforcement authority to public safety officers.
Homeland security agents search two Columbia University students’ rooms
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As many American universities erase their diversity, equity, and inclusion programming in response to threats from the new Trump administration, Harvard has taken a different road — quietly maintaining its diversity initiatives and sometimes actively defending diversity on campus.
Trump Administration to Launch Major Offensive Against DEI in Academia
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The Feb. 14 memo from Trump's Republican administration was a sweeping expansion of a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.
Over 50 universities face federal investigations as part of Trump's anti-DEI campaign
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More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Fortune·7h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.El memorando que el gobierno republicano de Trump envió el 14 de febrero fue una amplia expansión de una decisión de la Corte Suprema de 2023 que prohíbe que las universidades utilicen la raza como un factor en las admisiones.
Investigan a más de 50 universidades en EEUU como parte de campaña de Trump contra diversidad
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The Education Department said those schools are: Grand Valley State University, Ithaca College, the New England College of Optometry, the University of Alabama, the University of Minnesota, the University of South Florida and the University of Oklahoma at Tulsa.
More than 50 universities face federal investigations as part of Trump’s anti-DEI campaign
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The department acknowledges that "education is primarily a state and local responsibility in the United States," with about 92% of all school funding coming from non-federal sources.
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The Department of Education under President Donald Trump and McMahon’s leadership has been cracking down on universities over noncompliance with civil rights laws, recently issuing massive federal funding cuts to Columbia University over its handling of antisemitic protests and warning 60 other universities that they could be next if they fail to step in line.
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Summary
The U.S. Departments of Justice and Education are intensifying investigations into Columbia University and over 50 other institutions regarding alleged racial discrimination and anti-Semitism. The Justice Department's probe, initiated for allegations of concealing illegal immigrants linked to pro-Palestinian demonstrations, saw searches conducted by the Department of Homeland Security at Columbia residences. Additional focus includes reviewing how the university handles protests and potential civil rights violations. Meanwhile, the Department of Education investigates diversity programs across various universities, threatening federal funding for reported race-based admissions practices. Columbia faces immense pressure to comply as it risks losing $400M in funding.
Perspectives
The Department of Education is investigating over 50 universities for alleged racial discrimination practices linked to diversity programs aimed at underrepresented groups.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasizes the need for merit-based assessments in education, stating that race should not be a factor in student evaluations or opportunities.
The memo regarding these investigations responds to a Supreme Court decision limiting race-based admissions, illustrating the administration's push to eliminate race-conscious policies.
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