Trump Freezes Funding Over Protests at Universities

The Trump administration has frozen over $1.79 billion in federal funding to Cornell University and Northwestern University, citing civil rights violations related to pro-Palestinian protests and allegations of unchecked antisemitism on campuses. The funding freeze affects grants and contracts with federal departments, including health, education, agriculture, and defense, potentially impacting vital research projects. This move is part of a broader federal crackdown on elite universities, with at least $3.3 billion in funding already frozen across several prestigious institutions. Both universities have expressed concerns about the impact on research and have sought clarification from the government, noting they were not formally notified about the funding freeze. The administration's actions have sparked a debate over free speech and the political landscape within academia, as universities navigate the tension between protest politics and federal authority. This federal scrutiny extends to other Ivy League schools, amplifying the ideological battle at the intersection of education and national politics.