Trump-run Education Department investigating five universities over alleged antisemitic harassment, including Columbia

The US Department of Education is launching an investigation into five colleges, including Columbia University, over alleged “widespread” anti-semitic harassment following the tumultuous spring term where anti-Israel protests escalated on campuses countrywide.

Under President Trump’s direction, the DOE will be probing Northwestern University, Portland State University, the University of California, Berkley and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities alongside Columbia — where the student encampment protests first sparked over Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.

The anti-Israel demonstrations stretched from colleges in Maine all the way to Alaska and sometimes turned into violent clashes with pro-Israel counter-protesters at Columbia and the other schools under investigation.

“Too many universities have tolerated widespread anti-semitic harassment and the illegal encampments that paralyzed campus life last year, driving Jewish life and religious expression underground. The Biden Administration’s toothless resolution agreements did shamefully little to hold those institutions accountable,” said Craig Trainor, the Trump-appointed acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the DOE. 

“Today, the Department is putting universities, colleges, and K-12 schools on notice: this administration will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the wellbeing of Jewish students on American campuses, nor will it stand by idly if universities fail to combat Jew hatred and the unlawful harassment and violence it animates,” Trainor added in a statement.

The Department’s Office for Civil Rights is opening the investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which protects students from harassment based on their national origin and shared ancestry, according to a press release.

The probe follows through on an executive order Trump signed last Wednesday instructing federal agencies to identify “all civil and criminal authorities” available to combat anti-semitism — including finding ways to deport alleged anti-Jewish students on visas and others who violated laws.

Columbia University came under national scrutiny after student protests erupted in late April 2024.

The university’s now-suspended Students for Justice in Palestine chapter started the first of what would become a wave of anti-Israel encampments on college campuses across the country. Participants in the 24/7 encampments called for their respective universities’ unilateral divestment from Israel and companies supporting Israel, including chains like Starbucks and Pizza Hut.

During the daytime, Columbia students marched around the lawn chanting phrases like “NYPD, KKK, IDF, you’re all the same” and calling for an “intifada revolution” among other phrases commonly repeated during encampments at other schools.

Matters became more harrowing at night as the university called in armed authorities to subdue protesters after a destructive group broke into Hamilton Hall and took over the campus building until forced out.

Troves of students and outside community members alike were arrested, but no enrolled students were expelled. A dozen students were suspended during the immediate fallout, but they were eventually reinstated.

The first so-called “Liberated Zone” encampment at Columbia lasted two straight weeks until it was forcibly taken down by police. It was temporarily set up again during alumni weekend, but the sit-ins didn’t return during the fall semester.

Some Jewish members of the Columbia community bashed university leadership for allowing anti-semitism to infect the campus and student life.

“Despite our pleas, the University’s administration and Trustees continue issuing empty statements and ignoring antisemitism on campus,” Ari Shrage, a member of the Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, told The Post in a statement.

“It’s not a surprise that the Department of Education is investigating Columbia because of the university’s failure to address these issues. What’s more alarming is the letter highlighting the faculty’s participation in violating Jewish student’s rights.”

Following the protests, Columbia lost a staggering 29% in donations — stacking up to roughly $21.4 million.

The university said it is reviewing the new communication from Trump’s education department.

“Columbia strongly condemns antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, and we are resolute that calling for, promoting, or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our University,” a Columbia spokesperson wrote in a statement listing the interim president’s efforts to combat anti-semitism on campus.

“We look forward to ongoing work with the new federal administration to combat antisemitism and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.”