Federal Judge Vaden Cleared in Columbia Clerk Boycott Ethics Case

The Trump administration is seeking judicial oversight to ensure Columbia University implements reforms addressing antisemitism, following threats to cut $400 million in federal funding. This comes after the university agreed to policy changes, including stricter regulations on protests and new departmental leadership, in response to demands from the administration's Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. In related news, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed ethics complaints against Judge Stephen A. Vaden, who, alongside other judges, refused to hire law clerks from Columbia due to its handling of pro-Palestinian protests. The council ruled that judges have discretion in their hiring criteria based on a university's commitment to civility and free speech. Vaden's nomination by Trump for a deputy agriculture secretary position is also moving forward following the ruling. The outcome reflects a broader tension between academic freedom and the perceived rise of antisemitism on campuses.