Liberal universities are in full meltdown mode after President Donald Trump’s latest move to take a sledgehammer to leftist indoctrination on college campuses. The administration has set its sights on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as the rampant antisemitism that has swept through academia in the wake of pro-Hamas riots across the country.
The crackdown began with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sending letters to 60 universities suspected of violating federal law. The Trump administration isn’t just talking tough—it’s taking real action by cutting federal funding to institutions that fail to uphold anti-discrimination laws.
One of the biggest casualties so far? Columbia University, which has been at the center of the radical pro-Palestinian movement. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has yanked a staggering $400 million in grants from the school, marking just the beginning of a broader effort to hold universities accountable.
The Trump administration laid out its case in a March 7, 2025, press release:
“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.”
And the crackdown isn’t stopping there. The DOJ has signaled that more universities are in the crosshairs:
“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.”
That’s right—Columbia is still sitting on billions in federal funding, but the Trump administration has fired a warning shot. If these radical institutions continue to harbor antisemitic mobs while cashing taxpayer checks, they’ll pay the price.
Predictably, progressive administrators are scrambling. The Wall Street Journal reports that school officials are now in “an impossible situation,” unsure of what’s coming next. Some institutions have already been forced to revoke scholarships and shut down research programs.
Meanwhile, Secretary McMahon made it clear that universities don’t get to operate as lawless indoctrination centers on the taxpayer’s dime.
“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,” McMahon said. “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 Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) also put schools on notice, warning them of serious consequences if they fail to protect Jewish students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Of course, the meltdown over Trump’s crackdown on DEI programs isn’t just about “equity”—it’s about money. DEI has become a multi-billion-dollar industry riddled with corruption.
Libs of TikTok exposed one particularly egregious case of DEI fraud at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where LaVar Charleston, a former DEI chief, was caught giving himself a $50,000 raise and approving luxury perks like a $32,000 trip to Hawaii and $18,000 for student massages.
One outraged commentator summed it up perfectly:
“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!”
The Trump administration is making it clear: radical universities that promote leftist extremism, enable antisemitism, and use DEI as a taxpayer-funded racket will face real consequences. With billions in federal grants still up for review, this is just the beginning.
