The Task Force for Anti -Semitism Trump Administrator moves at a record speed to punish faculties for inactivity
The recent cancellation of $ 400 million federal scholarships and a contract of Columbia University by the common working group of Trump administration to combat anti -Semitism was considered a major vigilant invitation to universities in the country.
In a press release, the working group announced that “a determined action” was notified by any school and university receiving federal dollars. “
Leo Terrell, leader of the Federal Working Group for the Fight of Anti -Semitism and Senior Advisors of Assistant Attorney General for Civic Rights, told Fox News Digital that Columbia was a starting target for reducing financing, because the school was “in my opinion, the worst of the worst when he allowed this type of behavior and sequel.”
Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive Director of the Orthodox Union, told Fox News Digital that he was a “dramatic action that [Trump] The administration seems to be ready to take … it seems that access is needed for something as urgent as what we faced. “Hauer added that his community has a” lot of hope “.
Protesters show close to the University of Columbia in New York, February 2, 2024. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Hauer added that recent protests at the University of Columbia and Barnard College “reminded us how much the question was [of campus antisemitism] is.”
Terrell said President Donald Trump’s Executive order that directs increased efforts in the fight against anti -Semitism “sets the tone for each individual agency” involved in the working group, which includes the departments of justice, education, health and human services, Homeland Security and the State, with the US administration of general services and FBI. Terrell said the newly confirmed education secretary Linda McMahon “in this intensively involved, according to the directive from [U.S. Attorney General] Pam Bondi. ”
He says that experts will evaluate schools in their working group on the basis of about nine criteria to determine whether they are adequately protecting Jewish students. In addition to seeking evidence of hate crimes and testing of status exempt from taxes in schools, Terrell said that the working group would seek violations of titles VI and titles VII in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The title VI protects Americans participating in programs receiving federal means from discrimination based on race, color and national origin. The Administration of former President Joe Biden He used the title VI when the Office of the Education Department for Civic Rights examined the enemy anti-Semitic environment on the K-12 and the Faculty Campuses. The title VII prevents federal discrimination of employment based on race, religion, gender or color.
The work group in Columbia is followed by weekly protests at the University and associated Barnard College. In January, Students broke in Colombia classroom and “allegedly threw himself away [fliers] filled with a grumpy speech. “Next month, more than 50 protesters took over the building at Barnard College and was said to have attacked the employee.
The Columbia student describes anti-Israelic protests: ‘It’s scary’
Leo Terrell (Reuters/Kent Nishimura)
During the protest of March 5 at the Barnard Campus, protesters painted the Pamphlets from “Hamas Media Office” passing, except for the pictures of former Hezbollah Hassan Nasano Nasano head and sticker with former terrorist organization president Hamas Yahya Sinwar, according to Israel. In a press release, Columbia confirmed that four students were arrested during Barnard “disorders”. Students were subsequently “suspended and limited from campus”.
The situation in Columbia became more complex after a former student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested according to American immigration and customs (Ice) for allegedly committing Hamas. Terrell said that the arrest did not be carried out at the request of the working group, but explained that “all this is coming out of Trump’s executive order.”
Trump is a vow of anti-Israeli activist Mahmoud Khalil was “the first arrest of many to come”
NYPD cleaned up the Pro-Palestinian protesters with Barnard College after taking a group of student protesters on Milstein on March 5, 2025. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolo via Getty Images)
Columbia representative did not answer Fox News Digital questions about the cancellation of his scholarships, his posture to the ICE at the campus, or whether he plans to continue to employ Anti-Israeli professors who were accused of expanding anti-Semitic attitudes.
Temporary President Columbia, Katrina Armstrong, announced a statement on March 7th, saying that “Columbia takes the Government’s action very seriously.” Armstrong sought to “secure the entire Columbia community that we are dedicated to cooperation with the Federal Government to resolve our legitimate concerns. In that goal, Columbia can and will, continue to take serious measures in the fight against anti -Semitism at our campus. This is our number one priority.”
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When it comes to demonstrating their effective efforts combat anti -SemitismTerrell said schools have to “earn confidence”. Citing the example of “The Little Direct Action” Columbia took in response to a reduction in funds, Terrell asked: “Is that money that drives them or their concern for Jewish-American students?”
Terrell also said there would be no special awards for schools that managed anti -Semitism without federal involvement.
“They have a fundamental right to protect Jewish Americans and Jewish students,” he said.
