Trump Administration Targets Campus Antisemitism Complaints, Accuses Biden-era Backlog

The Trump administration is making antisemitism complaints on college campuses an "immediate priority," moving swiftly to address allegations of harassment and violence that reportedly piled up during the Biden administration's tenure. This includes canceling roughly $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University after accusations that the institution failed to protect Jewish students.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education revealed that over 140 complaints alleging antisemitic harassment were filed during the Biden administration but that more than half were left unreviewed. Acting Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor stated that the Trump administration is now investigating over 90 complaints and conducting five directed investigations. Trainor emphasized holding both institutions and individuals accountable, noting the backlog inherited from the prior administration.

"American institutions of higher education erupted with antisemitic harassment and violence," Trainor highlighted, adding that many university presidents took little or no credible action to address the issue. He criticized the previous administration's "toothless" resolutions, which he argued offered little remedy for affected Jewish students.

Linda McMahon, Trump's Secretary of Education, visited Columbia University to discuss concerns regarding ongoing antisemitic allegations. She condemned the inaction of elite universities, stating, "Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses." McMahon also questioned Columbia University's ability to continue receiving federal funds given its apparent inability to protect its students.

Over the weekend, the tension escalated further as an activist who had led protests and encampments against Israel on Columbia University's campus was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Secretary of State Marco Rubio later announced plans to revoke visas or green cards of Hamas supporters in the U.S., commenting, "They can be deported."

The administration's aggressive stance aligns with executive orders issued by President Trump to crack down on antisemitic harassment, including the creation of a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. Columbia University's grant funds were the first casualty of this crackdown, signaling the administration's uncompromising approach to addressing campus discrimination.

While the Trump administration's actions may be divisive, they undeniably shine a spotlight on the growing issue of antisemitism in higher education, an arena where the battle over free speech and discrimination continues to play out in stark relief.