Columbia Faculty Sue Trump Administration Over $400M Funding Cuts

Columbia University faculty have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration following the withdrawal of $400 million in federal funding over concerns related to antisemitism and campus protests. The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers argue that the administration's actions represent an illegal attempt to limit academic independence and free speech on campus. Columbia has made significant concessions, including empowering campus police with arrest powers and banning masked protests, in an effort to restore funding, but faculty members condemn these changes as an infringement on academic freedom. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has stated that Columbia is on the 'right track' regarding these policy changes. The lawsuit also highlights broader concerns about the administration's attempts to control higher education through funding threats. Legal experts warn that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for academic institutions nationwide.