Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Columbia University agrees to eliminate race and sex-based hiring in exchange for restored federal funding — After Columbia University agreed to pay $221 million and to promise it will not use "race, color, sex, or national origin" in hiring decisions, the Trump administration restored $1.3 billion in congressionally appropriated funding it had withheld over charges of antisemitism. Education Secretary Linda McMahon characterized the settlement as a "monumental victory for conservatives" seeking to reshape elite campuses by removing "far left leaning professors."
• Columbia University accepts federal funding restoration deal with Trump administration, agreeing to speech restrictions and disciplinary measures — Columbia University reached an agreement with the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funds that had been withheld over accusations of antisemitism. The deal requires Columbia to pay $221 million in settlements, codify restrictions on pro-Palestinian speech (including adoption of a controversial antisemitism definition conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism), place an academic department under receivership, restrict protest activities, release admissions data, and submit to federal monitoring. The agreement follows the university's disciplining of approximately 80 students involved in pro-Palestinian protests and sparked divided reactions from faculty, students, and alumni.
• White House issues fact sheet on Columbia University settlement — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 24, 2025, announcing that President Trump secured a settlement with Columbia University to address alleged violations of federal civil rights laws. The settlement includes a $200 million payment to the United States, over $20 million to resolve alleged discrimination against Jewish employees, restrictions on racial discrimination in hiring and admissions, enhanced campus safety measures, reduced reliance on international student enrollment, and establishment of an independent monitor to ensure compliance.

Supporting reports

• Trump ends diversity, equity, and inclusion programs government-wide — President Trump has ended diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the federal government, following recommendations from Project 2025. This action is part of a broader agenda to eliminate diversity efforts and reinforce traditional gender roles, including prohibiting transgender individuals in sports and the military.
• Trump signs executive order to dismantle the Department of Education — President Trump signed an executive order directing the education secretary to begin dismantling the Department of Education, a move that aligns with Project 2025's recommendations. This action requires congressional approval to be fully realized but marks a significant step towards reducing federal involvement in education.
• Trump signs executive order to reclassify civil service roles — President Trump signed an executive order in April to reclassify tens of thousands of civil service roles as political appointments. This action, promoted by Project 2025, aims to remove individuals deemed disloyal to Trump's agenda and replace them with political appointees, thereby increasing control over the federal workforce.

Supporting reports

• Trump Administration Investigates Harvard for Race-Based Discrimination — The Trump administration announced an investigation into Harvard University and the Harvard Law Review over allegations of race-based discrimination. This investigation is part of broader scrutiny of academic institutions.
• Trump administration launches investigation into Harvard Law Review for alleged race-based discrimination — The Trump administration announced an investigation into Harvard University and the Harvard Law Review for potential violations of civil rights law, specifically Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation focuses on claims that the Harvard Law Review's article selection process may favor submissions based on the race of the author rather than merit. This move is part of a broader crackdown by the administration on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which it argues discriminate against white people and men. The investigation was announced by the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration targets universities over pro-Palestinian protests — In March 2025, the Trump administration listed Swarthmore College among 60 schools at risk of losing federal funding for allowing what it deemed antisemitic harassment on campus. This move is part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests at universities, with institutions like Columbia and Harvard facing severe financial penalties despite taking disciplinary actions against student protesters. The administration's actions have led to increased surveillance and disciplinary measures against students, particularly targeting Palestinian, Arab Muslim, and students of color, raising concerns about free speech and academic freedom.
• Universities penalize students for pro-Palestinian protests — Universities across the United States, including Swarthmore College, Columbia, and Harvard, have been penalizing students for participating in pro-Palestinian protests. Disciplinary actions include suspensions, expulsions, and revocation of diplomas, often accompanied by increased surveillance. These measures disproportionately affect Palestinian, Arab Muslim, and students of color, leading to financial and academic hardships. Despite these actions, the federal government has still imposed financial penalties on these institutions, exacerbating tensions and raising concerns about the suppression of free speech on campuses.

Supporting reports

• University of Michigan closes flagship DEI program under Trump administration pressure — The University of Michigan announced the closure of its flagship diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program and corresponding office, citing Trump administration anti-DEI executive orders and threats to eliminate federal funding for institutions maintaining such programs. The program, launched in 2016, had demonstrably increased first-generation and Pell-eligible undergraduate enrollment. The university also terminated its office for health equity and inclusion and discontinued its "DEI 2.0 strategic plan." University leadership stated the decision was made under pressure from federal enforcement actions.

Supporting reports

• Columbia University agrees to overhaul protest policies and hire internal security force following Trump administration pressure — Columbia University agreed to overhaul its protest policies and hire an internal security force of 36 "special officers" empowered to remove people from campus after the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding. The action represents institutional capitulation to administration pressure to suppress campus protests and pro-Palestinian activism, with faculty viewing it as a dangerous threat to academic freedom.
• University of Michigan closes flagship DEI program under Trump administration pressure — The University of Michigan announced the closure of its flagship diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program and corresponding office, citing Trump administration anti-DEI executive orders and threats to eliminate federal funding for institutions maintaining such programs. The program, launched in 2016, had demonstrably increased first-generation and Pell-eligible undergraduate enrollment. The university also terminated its office for health equity and inclusion and discontinued its "DEI 2.0 strategic plan." University leadership stated the decision was made under pressure from federal enforcement actions.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cuts federal funding to Columbia University — The Trump administration pulled $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, citing the institution's failure to curb antisemitism. This action is part of a broader campaign against universities perceived as liberal bastions. The administration has also warned 60 other colleges and universities that they may face similar funding cuts if they do not address allegations of antisemitism on campus. This move is seen as part of a larger effort to suppress dissent and control higher education.
• Trump administration cancels $400m in federal contracts to Columbia University — The Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal contracts and grants to Columbia University. This action is part of a pressure campaign demanding the university to discipline students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, reform admissions policies, and place an area studies department under external control. The administration's demands are seen as a test case for academic freedom, with Columbia reportedly considering compliance to avoid further financial losses.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cancels $400m in funds to Columbia — The Trump administration announced the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University. The administration cited the university's alleged repeated failure to protect students from antisemitic harassment as the reason for this action. This move could have significant financial implications for the university and may affect its operations and programs.
• Trump administration cancels $400m funding to Columbia University — The Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, citing the institution's failure to protect students from antisemitic harassment on campus. This decision follows the administration's broader efforts to combat antisemitism, which include warnings to other colleges about potential enforcement actions for similar issues. The funding cut is part of a larger strategy to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department announces Title VII investigation of University of California for alleged antisemitic hostile work environment — The Department of Justice announced a civil pattern-or-practice investigation into the University of California under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation will assess whether UC engaged in discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin against professors, staff, and employees by allowing an antisemitic hostile work environment on its campuses. The investigation was announced by the Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism and will be conducted jointly with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• US Department of Justice investigates University of California for alleged antisemitism — The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched an investigation into the University of California (UC) system to determine if it violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation focuses on whether UC engaged in a pattern of discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin by allowing an antisemitic hostile work environment on its campuses. This action follows campus protests against Israel's war in Gaza, which have raised concerns about antisemitic discrimination within the university system.

Supporting reports

• New York governor orders removal of Palestinian studies job posting at CUNY — New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the City University of New York (CUNY) to remove a job posting for a Palestinian studies professor role at Hunter College. The job listing sought a scholar with a critical perspective on issues related to Palestine. Hochul's directive was supported by CUNY's chancellor and board chair, who found the language divisive. The faculty and staff union condemned the removal as a violation of academic freedom. The job posting was part of a "cluster hire" for two positions and has since been taken down.
• New York Governor orders removal of job posting — On Wednesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the City University of New York (CUNY) to immediately remove a job posting for a Palestinian studies professor role at Hunter College. This action has been condemned by CUNY's union as a violation of academic freedom. The removal of the job posting has sparked protests against Governor Hochul, planned for Thursday. The order is part of a broader context of increased scrutiny and restrictions on pro-Palestinian activities and academic positions in New York.

Supporting reports

• West Point disbands student-led clubs following DEI order — The US military academy at West Point has dissolved 12 student-led cultural and professional clubs in response to executive orders from the Trump administration targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal institutions. A memorandum signed by DC Chad Foster instructed the immediate shutdown of clubs such as the Society of Women Engineers, the Latin Cultural Club, and Spectrum, an LGBTQ+ support group. The directive requires these organizations to remove all public-facing content and cease all activities. This move has sparked criticism from alumni and advocates for diversity in military education.