Trump administration halts $510 million in federal funding to Brown University over antisemitism response

By lauraharris // 2025-04-09

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The Trump administration suspended $510 million in federal funding to Brown University, citing its failure to adequately address campus antisemitism following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Brown has been a hotspot for pro-Palestinian protests, including sit-ins, hunger strikes and encampments. The administration has intensified scrutiny of universities, framing such activism as antisemitic and targeting DEI policies.
The U.S. Department of Education launched probes into 60 universities, including Brown, for alleged antisemitic harassment. Schools risked losing federal funding under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act for non-compliance.
Brown is the fifth Ivy League school targeted, following Columbia University ($400 million revoked), University of Pennsylvania ($175 million frozen), Harvard University ($9 billion under review) and Princeton University ($210 million lost) – part of broader efforts to curb perceived liberal bias and antisemitism.
The administration has moved to detain and deport foreign students involved in anti-Israel demonstrations, citing visa violations and national security concerns.

The Trump administration has suspended $510 million in federal funding to Brown University over the Ivy League institution's handling of campus antisemitism during the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Brown University has been a focal point of nationwide student protests since late 2023, with demonstrators urging the U.S. to end military support for Israel, demanding that universities sever ties with companies tied to Israeli operations and condemning Israel's siege on Gaza. Over the past year, Brown students have staged sit-ins, an eight-day hunger strike and a week-long encampment on campus. (Related: Trump says DEATH PENALTY a proper punishment for "antisemitism" in America.) However, the Trump administration has intensified scrutiny of universities, framing pro-Palestinian activism as antisemitic and targeting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Earlier executive orders shortly after taking office have sought to penalize institutions that allegedly suppress free speech or promote "discriminatory" practices under the guise of diversity. In line with this, the U.S. Department of Education launched investigations into 60 universities, including Brown over alleged antisemitic harassment and discrimination in March. "Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses – repeatedly overrun by antisemitic students and agitators. Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said at the time. Federal warnings cited potential "enforcement actions" if schools failed to comply with nondiscrimination protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and Brown University failed to do so. In turn, nearly $510 million in federal contracts and grants awarded to Brown is under review, with payments frozen pending further scrutiny of the university's policies and actions regarding antisemitic incidents.

Crackdown on campuses accused of suppressing free speech and promoting discriminatory policies

Brown University is the fifth Ivy League institution targeted in recent weeks as part of a sweeping crackdown on campuses accused of suppressing free speech, promoting discriminatory policies and failing to uphold constitutional rights. In March, the administration revoked $400 million from Columbia University after accusing the school of tolerating antisemitism, prompting the university to revise protest policies and reassess its Middle East studies program. The university later adjusted its policies under pressure from the Trump administration, hoping to restore the critical funding. Soon after, the University of Pennsylvania faced a $175 million freeze over a controversy involving a transgender athlete, while Harvard University's $9 billion in federal contracts, grants and student aid programs, was placed under review. Trump accused Harvard of "moral failure" for not taking stronger action against anti-Israel protests and alleged antisemitic incidents. Princeton University also confirmed that it lost $210 million in research grants without explanation, though critics speculate it was tied to alleged liberal bias in faculty hiring and curriculum. The administration warned that funding could be permanently revoked if investigations find universities knowingly permitted discrimination or violence against Jewish students. Overall, a combined $784 million in federal funding for Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University and Princeton University was frozen. The administration has also taken steps to detain and deport foreign students involved in organizing anti-Israel demonstrations, citing potential visa violations and threats to national security. Visit Trump.news for more similar stories. Watch this discussion about antisemitism. This video is from the scottbarry1992 channel on Brighteon.com.

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Crackdown on campuses accused of suppressing free speech and promoting discriminatory policies

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