Education Secretary Indicates Columbia University is Set to Unlock $400 Million in Federal Funding

March 23, 2025 TruthUSA

McMahon states that the interim president of the school recognized that ‘it was her duty to ensure the safety of children on her campus.’

On March 23, Education Secretary Linda McMahon commented that Columbia University is making progress towards reinstating its federal funding after the institution agreed to implement several policy amendments requested by the Trump administration.

During an interview with Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, McMahon mentioned that she had “productive discussions” with the university’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong.

“She mentioned that she understood it was her responsibility to guarantee the safety of children on her campus,” McMahon remarked. “She aimed to ensure there would be no discrimination of any kind and wanted to tackle any systemic problems related to anti-Semitism on campus.”

Earlier this month, the Trump administration withdrew $400 million in research funding and grants from Columbia University, citing the school’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests that criticized Israel’s military actions following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Federal authorities required nine specific changes to Columbia’s academic and security policies to facilitate the restoration of the funds and future grants worth billions.

On Friday, Armstrong declared that Columbia University would enhance oversight for its Middle East studies department and revise its policies regarding protests and student discipline. An outline published on the university’s website also noted Columbia’s commitment to defining anti-Semitism more clearly and promoting “intellectual diversity” by expanding the hiring at its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies.

Additional changes include a prohibition on student masks except for health or religious reasons, modifications to the recruitment and admissions process, and closer administrative supervision from a newly appointed senior vice provost responsible for assessing certain academic programs.

Additionally, Armstrong mentioned that the university’s disciplinary board for students will now include both faculty and administrators. Columbia will also bolster its public safety team to better manage disruptive events, she added.

“We have diligently worked to address the valid concerns raised by our community, including those from our regulators, regarding the discrimination, harassment, and anti-Semitic incidents that our Jewish community has faced since October 7, 2023,” a policy memo states.

Some faculty members and free speech advocates criticized Armstrong’s actions, claiming the university is surrendering to governmental pressures that threaten academic freedom.

Bash inquired if Columbia University had done sufficient work to restore its funding.

“We are currently on the right track to ensure that the final negotiations for unfreezing those funds will proceed smoothly,” she concluded.

Aaron Gifford and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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