Progressive college students, professors, and administrators have been freaking out over President Donald Trump’s decision to go after DEI programs. He and other Republicans have attacked universities for antisemitism after Pro-Hamas riots swept the nation. Linda McMahon, the Secretary of Education, sent letters to 60 universities that the administration belives have violated the law.
The Trump administration announced that it would be canceling federal funding to non-compliant institutions. Columbia, which was at the epicenter of the pro-Palestine movement, has had $400 million in grants pulled by the DOJ.
A press release published on March 7, 2025, explained the controversy. The document reads, “The Department of Justice (DOJ)… announced the immediate cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University due to the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students. These cancellations represent the first round of action, and additional cancellations are expected to follow.”
The DOJ says that more actions like this are coming. The DOJ continued, “The Task Force is continuing to review and coordinate across federal agencies to identify additional cancellations that could be made swiftly. DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA are taking this action as members of the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. Columbia University currently holds more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments.”
Progressives have reacted poorly to the news. According to the Wall Street Journal, school administrators say they “are in an impossible situation with facing the unknown as to what may happen down the road.” Some universities have been forced to revoke scholarships and end research.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a statement on the controversy. She said, “The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year. University leaders must do better. U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege, and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal anti-discrimination laws.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) wrote to the 60 universities warning of legal punishments. The letter cautioned, “if they do not fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities.”
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Libs of TickTok, a prominent conservative voice, posted to X about the corruption in the DEI industry. She said, “LaVar Charleston, former DEI chief at @UWMadison, was fired from his position after he was caught improperly approving lump-sum bonus payments, raises, and travel/event expenses, according to newly released University records.”
She continued to explain the scope of graft this scam. The account added, “Some of these payments included a $50,000 raise for himself, a $32,000 reimbursement to a department member for a trip to Hawaii, and $18,000 on student massage services.”
Online commentators chimed in to support Charleston’s firing. One read, “Classic DEI grift exposed! LaVar Charleston used his position to line his own pockets, a $50K raise for himself, luxury travel, and even $18K on student massages? This is where taxpayer money goes under leftist leadership. No wonder universities are spiraling, corruption runs deep!”