Trump administration withdraws $400 million in contracts and grants to Columbia University: Live updates

March 8, 2025
3 mins read



Trump appears to contradict himself on Russia’s intentions in UkraineYour support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreThe Trump administration revealed on Friday that it’s withdrawing $400 million in grants and contracts from Columbia University because of what the administration says is the school’s failure to protect Jewish students from harassment. Federal agencies announced five days ago that they were considering ceasing work on $51 million in contracts with the university in New York City and it was reviewing its eligibility for more than $5 billion in federal grants. The announcement came after Columbia established a disciplinary panel and increased its own investigations into students who have made critical statements of Israel, to the dismay of advocates for free speech. But the school didn’t do enough according to the federal government. “Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement Friday.Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Friday that he’s “strongly considering large-scale sanctions” and tariffs on Russia until a peace agreement is reached with Ukraine. Trump also sent a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an effort to reach a deal with Tehran to restrict its nuclear program. Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives?A growing number of prominent companies have scaled back or set aside the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that much of corporate America endorsed following the protests that accompanied the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in 2020.The changes have come in response to a campaign by conservative activists to target workplace programs in the courts and social media, and more recently, President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at upending DEI policies in both the federal government and private sector.Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives?A growing number of prominent companies have scaled back or set aside the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that much of corporate America endorsed following the protests that accompanied the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in 2020MAGA targets Justice Amy Coney Barrett after she rules against TrumpKelly Rissman8 March 2025 07:00WATCH: Trump asked about pardoning Derek ChauvinTrump asked about pardoning Derek ChauvinGustaf Kilander8 March 2025 06:00Ohio governor tells the Trump administration to hurry up bird flu responseThe Buckeye state has seen more than 15 million of its commercial poultry birds killed since December due to exposure to the virus, the Republican pointed out.“One of the things that is clear is that the federal government is really going to have to accelerate the research that is being done in regard to bird flu,” DeWine told reporters Thursday following a meeting with agricultural leaders in Darke County, according to the Dayton Daily News. “…One of the messages that I heard today (during the meeting) was, ‘Please do everything you can to speed that up.’”Julia Musto8 March 2025 05:00WATCH: GOP Senator shares ‘worries’ over Trump’s tariff policy GOP Senator shares ‘worries’ over Trump’s tariff policyGustaf Kilander8 March 2025 04:01Trump administration cancels $400M in grants and contracts with Columbia UniversityThe Trump administration said Friday that it’s pulling $400 million from Columbia University, canceling grants and contracts because of what the government describes as the Ivy League school’s failure to squelch antisemitism on campus.The notice came five days after federal agencies announced they were considering orders to stop work on $51 million in contracts with the New York City university and reviewing its eligibility for over $5 billion in federal grants going forward. And it came after Columbia set up a new disciplinary committee and ramped up its own investigations into students critical of Israel, alarming free speech advocates.But Columbia’s efforts evidently didn’t go far enough for the federal government.Jennifer Peltz8 March 2025 03:00WATCH: MAGA adviser releases AI montage of Trump’s lifeMAGA adviser releases AI montage of Trump’s lifeGustaf Kilander8 March 2025 02:00Will Trump change daylight saving time? He says it’s a ‘50/50’ issueGraig Graziosi8 March 2025 01:00Trump demands Nicolle Wallace and Rachel Maddow resign over teen cancer survivor commentsThe president also took the opportunity to bash the network’s ratings.Rhian Lubin, Justin Baragona8 March 2025 00:15WATCH: Trump appears to contradict himself on Russia’s intentions in UkraineTrump appears to contradict himself on Russia’s intentions in UkraineGustaf Kilander7 March 2025 23:30



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