Overview

• Columbia University is implementing a mask ban and revised disciplinary policies to regain $400 million in federal funding revoked by the Trump administration.
• Interim President Katrina Armstrong publicly pledged to enforce the changes but privately assured faculty that no significant alterations would occur, raising concerns about transparency.
• Masked protests on March 24, 2025, challenged the announced mask ban, highlighting ongoing campus dissent and enforcement ambiguity.
• A new lawsuit accuses Columbia student groups of acting as public relations arms for Hamas, citing alleged ties to anti-Israel demonstrations and propaganda.
• The Trump administration's demands are part of a broader effort to address antisemitism on campuses, sparking debates over academic freedom and federal overreach.