The administration of President Donald Trump has significantly ramped up pressure on elite American universities, with the threat of revoking Columbia University’s official accreditation, a move that would lead to the loss of all federal funding.
Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, has publicly accused Columbia’s leadership of “deliberate indifference” to the harassment of Jewish students following recent anti-war protests concerning Gaza. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon declared that the university has failed to provide necessary protection for Jewish students, labeling its conduct as “unlawful.” In March, the Trump administration already suspended $400 million in funds for Columbia, including $250 million earmarked for its medical schools. The university has reportedly begun implementing reforms in an effort to recover these vital funds.
In a separate but related escalation, President Trump announced a ban on visas for foreign students intending to study at Harvard University. He accused the prestigious institution of promoting “overly progressive left-wing ideas” and enabling antisemitism. According to Trump, these stringent measures are aimed at protecting “American values and national security.”
