Trump Administration Threatens to Strip Columbia University’s Accreditation Over Alleged Antisemitism
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and major academic institutions, the U.S. Department of Education has moved to revoke Columbia University’s accreditation, citing the university’s failure to protect Jewish students in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The move follows months of political pressure, campus protests, and accusations of antisemitism that have left Columbia—and other Ivy League institutions—under intense national scrutiny.
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a formal letter to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the independent accrediting agency responsible for Columbia. In the letter, McMahon argued that Columbia "no longer appears to meet the Commission's accreditation standards," accusing the university’s leadership of "deliberate indifference" to the harassment of Jewish students. According to McMahon, this failure not only violates federal anti-discrimination laws but also undermines the integrity of the U.S. accreditation process itself.
"Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid," McMahon wrote. "Columbia's actions—or lack thereof—are both immoral and unlawful."
The letter comes just months after the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding from Columbia in February, marking one of the most significant financial penalties imposed on an American university in recent memory. At the time, Trump cited “rampant antisemitism” on campus and criticized Columbia’s administration for what he called “a culture of hostility” toward Jewish students.
President Donald Trump, in remarks delivered on Tuesday, reinforced the administration's stance, condemning Columbia and other top-tier universities for what he described as a systemic failure to provide safe learning environments for Jewish students amid growing anti-Israel sentiment on campus. “What is happening at these universities is unacceptable. No student should feel unsafe or discriminated against because of their faith,” Trump said.
The issue has gained prominence in the broader context of the Israel-Gaza war, which reignited fierce political debate and activism on American campuses. Many student groups across the U.S., including at Columbia, organized rallies and demonstrations criticizing Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Some of these protests, according to critics, have crossed the line into antisemitic rhetoric and behavior, creating a hostile atmosphere for Jewish students.
In response to earlier federal criticism, Columbia University had taken a number of steps to align with the administration’s demands. These included a formal restructuring of its Middle Eastern studies department, revising speech and protest guidelines, and increasing campus security. The university also launched a task force aimed at preventing religious discrimination. However, these actions were evidently insufficient in the eyes of the Trump administration.
“The university has made surface-level changes but failed to demonstrate a meaningful commitment to protecting Jewish students,” said McMahon in her letter. “They continue to be exposed to severe and pervasive harassment, which denies them equal access to educational opportunities as required under the law.”
Legal experts say the move to revoke accreditation could have far-reaching implications, both for Columbia and for higher education across the U.S. Accreditation not only serves as a stamp of academic legitimacy but also determines eligibility for federal financial aid. Losing it could lead to a dramatic drop in student enrollment and a cascade of reputational damage.
If successful, the move could also open the door for similar actions against other universities currently under investigation, including Harvard, which is also facing scrutiny from the Trump administration for alleged failures to address campus antisemitism.
“This is an unprecedented step,” said Robert Linton, an education law specialist based in Washington, D.C. “It’s one thing to withhold funding; it’s another entirely to threaten accreditation. If the Department of Education follows through, it could mark a turning point in federal oversight of academic institutions.”
Critics of the Trump administration’s actions argue that the move is politically motivated and potentially harmful to academic freedom. “This is part of a broader campaign to weaponize federal authority against universities that don’t align with the administration’s worldview,” said Dana Goldstein, a senior fellow at the Center for Academic Independence. “The solution to campus tensions is dialogue and education—not government intimidation.”
Nevertheless, the administration remains resolute. The Education Department insists it is acting within its mandate to ensure that all students, regardless of religion or background, can learn in a safe and equitable environment. With the 2024 elections now behind and Trump securing a second term, his administration appears ready to take a harder stance on issues it deems central to American values—including how universities handle the rights and safety of minority students.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has yet to issue a formal response. For now, Columbia University remains accredited, but its future hangs in the balance as the review process begins.
In the meantime, campus communities across the nation will be watching closely. What happens next could redefine the relationship between higher education and federal oversight, and determine whether universities can maintain their independence in an era of rising political intervention.