During a roundtable discussion on education at the Kendall campus of True North Classical Academy, US Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that higher education institutions failing to effectively address antisemitism will face continued defunding until they take corrective action.
“Discrimination in any form is not to be tolerated on any campus,” she said. “It’s totally unacceptable,” as reported by Florida Politics.
Other roundtable participants included Florida International University Interim President Jeanette Nuñez, Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega, Miami-Dade School Board member Monica Colucci, education entrepreneur and former Collier County School Board member Erika Donalds, and former state Rep. Michael Bileca, True North’s CEO, as reported by Florida Politics.
During the discussion, McMahon reaffirmed the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University over concerns regarding violence and discrimination against Jewish students. She noted that the university’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, had requested a list of actions required to regain the funding, describing Armstrong’s request as “incredibly sincere,” as reported by Florida Politics.
In the past 15 days, Columbia University has experienced significant changes, becoming the first institution targeted in the Trump administration’s initiative to cut federal funding to colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism. In a related development, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, was arrested by US immigration agents at his university residence on March 8. Khalil, a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder), was actively involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
Additionally, last week, the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent letters to over 50 colleges and universities, notifying them that they are under investigation for violations “relating to antisemitic.
These developments reflect the federal government’s intensified scrutiny of higher education institutions regarding antisemitism and campus safety. As investigations continue and funding decisions unfold, universities across the country may face increased pressure to implement stricter policies. The broader impact of these measures on academic freedom and campus activism remains to be seen.