PRO: Is Trump’s Targeting of Federal Universities Based on Preventing Antisemitism Valid?

In early 2025, the Trump administration revoked funding for major schools, including Columbia, Harvard and Brown, to combat antisemitism.

The Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked a wave of campus protests at top universities that were largely pro-Palestine, leading to a significant rise in antisemitic activity. In response, 23 members of Congress urged the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to investigate the growth of antisemitism on college campuses. Although these campus protests spread some awareness surrounding the issue, the problem only garnered significant national attention after President Trump urged his administration to take action. According to Hillel International, Jewish students have experienced increased harassment and other forms of intimidation following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War. These acts, the organization stated, have created “a hostile academic environment” for Jewish students. 

The federal government has a legal and justifiable basis for holding universities accountable under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in federal funding programs. While the statute does not explicitly mention religion, the Trump administration has argued that antisemitic behavior qualifies under the “national origin” clause because Judaism is both a religion and shared ancestry. Trump clarified that universities receiving federal funds are obligated to investigate and respond to incidents of antisemitism or risk losing governmental support.

Universities and their faculty have often been inconsistent in addressing antisemitism due to the fear of suppressing free speech. “This isn’t about silencing protest; it’s about drawing a clear line between protected speech and hate-fueled intimidation,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla) said during a House hearing. Trump’s decision to revoke funding from these universities serves as a form of accountability and a warning for institutions that are failing to address antisemitism. While universities vary in protocol, they should handle situations of discrimination similarly. “If a university allows hate to fester unchecked,” Trump said in a press release, “they should not expect the American taxpayer to foot the bill.” Trump’s threats to spread awareness that academic institutions must prioritize Jewish students’ safety are being taken seriously. 

Throughout his campaign, Trump has voiced strong support for upholding free speech while noting that, per federal law, speech can be examined when it crosses into hate and intimidation. By removing federal funding, Trump aims to incentivize universities to be proactive against antisemitism, rather than wait for hatred and discrimination to escalate further.