Columbia University, once a symbol of academic excellence, now finds itself at the heart of a national debate over campus anti-Semitism.

In March, President Donald Trump launched the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, focusing on Ivy League schools, including Columbia. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, “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.” The Trump administration acted decisively, stripping Columbia of $400 million in federal funding for its “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”

This financial penalty led to the layoffs of 180 employees, or “about 20% of the individuals who are funded in some manner by the terminated grants.” A Columbia spokesperson initially claimed the university was working with federal officials to restore funding, stating, “We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is,” and emphasizing a commitment to “combatting antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.”

After meeting with Columbia’s president, McMahon posted on X, expressing hope for collaboration to “protect all students on their campus.” However, she reiterated that “the Trump Administration will not allow the continued harassment and threats of violence against students.” No funding has been restored, and as The Daily Wire noted, “The Columbia decision represents one of the most significant financial penalties imposed on a university over the handling of campus protests, potentially setting a precedent for how the federal government addresses similar situations at other institutions.”

Columbia’s leadership responded to the circumstances, saying, “Columbia’s leadership continues discussions with the federal government in support of resuming activity on these research awards and additional other awards that have remained active, but unpaid.” They acknowledged, “We are working on and planning for every eventuality, but the strain in the meantime, financially and on our research mission, is intense.”

The university had briefly covered salaries for some affected researchers, but the layoffs signal the end of this approach. Columbia now faces significant financial and operational challenges. Meanwhile, experts point to the university’s long-standing issues with anti-Semitism.

Chris Gacek, senior fellow for Regulatory Affairs at Family Research Council, offered a sharp critique of Columbia’s history and the broader crisis in higher education. Dismissing the university’s claims of progress, he stated, “Columbia is claiming that they’ve gotten rid of anti-Semitism.” But in reality, “They have a serious problem.”

Gacek cited the Amcha Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to combating anti-Semitism in higher education. Its “Student Voices” resource documents experiences of Jewish students from 2014 to the present. In September 2024, a Columbia student reported: “Walking through campus, I notice fliers being handed out to visibly Jewish students — basically, fliers telling them that they’re complicit in genocide. And I just feel like there’s a target on my back simply for being Jewish.”

Gacek noted that in 2016, Columbia was ranked the worst school for Jewish students regarding anti-Semitism. He argued that student testimonies from 2016 to today show Columbia “didn’t shed being the worst school [for Jews] in America overnight.” He urged the university’s leadership to confront this history to grasp the true campus environment.

Gacek also emphasized that Columbia’s problems reflect a broader issue, stating, “University of Michigan is horrible. A bunch of the [California] schools are horrible,” and “a bunch of the Ivy Leagues” as well. He praised databases like Student Voices for providing a “snapshot in time for every school,” countering claims that “Trump is making this up” or that “some MAGA supporter is putting this stuff in there.”

Regarding the funding cuts, Gacek showed little sympathy, saying, “I’m not shedding any tears for these 180 people.” He argued that Columbia is now facing the consequences of deep-rooted anti-Semitism, a problem predating the Trump administration’s intervention. Gacek recommended that those investigating anti-Semitism, including Trump’s team, use resources like the Amcha Initiative, “because there is a lot of anti-Semitism now.”