Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, expressed his backing of the Trump administration on Friday after the decision to revoke hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding from Columbia University. This action followed the university’s failure to address ongoing antisemitic incidents on its campus.
Earlier that same day, the Trump administration announced that it would cancel grants and contracts totaling $400 million with Columbia University, citing the institution’s “inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.” The university, located in New York, has been embroiled in protests after several students were expelled for their involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations that began last April.
Fetterman took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his thoughts, stating, “Columbia let antisemitism run amok to cater to lunatic fringe and paid provocateurs. Leadership allowed those [profanity] to take over the campus and terrorize Jewish students. Now, Columbia pays for its failure and I support that.”
While Fetterman has faced criticism from liberal factions, he has also garnered support from conservative groups, particularly for his positions on issues like illegal immigration, energy policy, and Israel. The Pennsylvania senator has positioned himself as a dissenting voice within the Democratic Party, showing a willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration on certain matters.
Columbia University has seen escalating protests demanding that the school sever ties with Israel, with activism on this issue intensifying from the very first day of the new administration. These protests have remained a constant presence on campus. On Wednesday, several students were detained after staging a sit-in at the Barnard College library, an affiliate of Columbia University.
In response to the cancellation of federal funding, a spokesperson for Columbia University stated, “We are reviewing the announcement from the federal agencies and pledge to work with the federal government to restore Columbia’s federal funding. We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is and are committed to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.”
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