Columbia University unions sue Trump administration over $400 million funding cuts
Kumar Shivam | Mar 26, 2025, 00:54 IST
Teacher unions representing Columbia University faculty have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a $400 million funding cut. They argue that the cuts are a violation of the First Amendment and an attempt to control academic freedom. The lawsuit follows the administration's actions targeting the university after student protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, leading to a wider dispute over freedom of speech, academic policies, and the treatment of student activists.
Unions representing professors and staff at Columbia University have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for slashing $400 million in university funding. The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers argue that these cuts infringe upon the First Amendment and undermine academic freedom. The unions contend that the administration is using the cuts as leverage to impose restrictive speech codes and gain control over university policies.
Protests and Government Retaliation
The controversy began after student protests at Columbia University, where students occupied buildings in the spring and summer to demonstrate against Israel’s actions in Gaza. These protests spread nationwide, prompting President Trump and his administration to target Columbia. In response, Trump officials pushed the university to adopt policies to combat antisemitism, including harsher penalties for student protesters, as well as changes to admission and protest policies.
Union Concerns and Legal Arguments
In their lawsuit, the teacher unions argue that the Trump administration’s actions represent a dangerous precedent for academic institutions. They claim that using funding cuts to coerce universities into adopting government-mandated policies threatens academic independence. Additionally, the unions assert that the administration’s actions violate Congress' power of the purse, an important constitutional safeguard against executive overreach.
Targeting Students and Faculty
Along with the funding cuts, the Trump administration has targeted individual student leaders, such as Mahmoud Khalil, a former protest leader at Columbia. Khalil’s green card was revoked, and he is now facing deportation, with the administration accusing him of having ties to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Critics argue that these actions are part of a broader effort to suppress dissent and silence student activists at universities across the nation.
Protests and Government Retaliation
The controversy began after student protests at Columbia University, where students occupied buildings in the spring and summer to demonstrate against Israel’s actions in Gaza. These protests spread nationwide, prompting President Trump and his administration to target Columbia. In response, Trump officials pushed the university to adopt policies to combat antisemitism, including harsher penalties for student protesters, as well as changes to admission and protest policies.
Union Concerns and Legal Arguments
In their lawsuit, the teacher unions argue that the Trump administration’s actions represent a dangerous precedent for academic institutions. They claim that using funding cuts to coerce universities into adopting government-mandated policies threatens academic independence. Additionally, the unions assert that the administration’s actions violate Congress' power of the purse, an important constitutional safeguard against executive overreach.
Targeting Students and Faculty
Along with the funding cuts, the Trump administration has targeted individual student leaders, such as Mahmoud Khalil, a former protest leader at Columbia. Khalil’s green card was revoked, and he is now facing deportation, with the administration accusing him of having ties to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Critics argue that these actions are part of a broader effort to suppress dissent and silence student activists at universities across the nation.