Columbia University Agrees to Federal Demands After $400M Funding Freeze

The university has implemented sweeping policy changes, including banning masks and increasing oversight, to address allegations of antisemitism and begin negotiations to restore federal funding.

Columbia University complied with the Trump administration's demands to ban masks, empower campus police to arrest students, and place its Middle East studies department under new oversight.
The university adopted a new definition of antisemitism and revised its protest and disciplinary policies as part of the agreement.
The Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding earlier this month, citing Columbia's alleged failure to protect Jewish students from harassment during pro-Palestinian protests.
Faculty and civil rights groups criticized the measures, warning they set a dangerous precedent for government interference in academic freedom.
Columbia's compliance is a precondition for negotiations to restore funding, but the administration has indicated further steps may be required.