Trump plans $510 million grant freeze for Brown University over antisemitism

The Trump administration is planning to freeze nearly $510 million in federal grants to Brown University, citing concerns over antisemitism in response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus. University officials, including Provost Frank Doyle, indicated they have yet to receive formal notification but are aware of 'troubling rumors' regarding potential federal actions. This move follows similar threats made against other Ivy League institutions like Columbia, Princeton, and Harvard, as part of a broader crackdown on campus antisemitism. Critics, including some Jewish advocacy groups, argue that the administration is conflating legitimate criticism of Israel's actions with antisemitism and support for Hamas. Brown University President Christina Paxson has vowed that the institution will not succumb to government pressure, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom. The situation highlights the tensions between federal funding and institutional responses to political activism on campuses.