Why Cutting Columbia’s Federal Funding Is the Right Move

On March 7, the federal government made headlines when it announced the cancellation of $400 million in research funding to Columbia University, citing the school’s persistent failure to address harassment and discrimination against Jewish students. The decision triggered backlash from academics and media outlets alike, with some—like Columbia physician Andrew Geneslaw—calling it a blow to science and an attack on academic freedom.

But let’s be clear: this funding cut is not an assault on science, education, or Jewish values. It’s a long-overdue act of civil rights enforcement. And despite the panic in academic circles, it’s exactly the kind of bold action required to hold broken institutions accountable.

Here’s why canceling Columbia’s funding is not only justified—but essential.

1. Accountability Was Never Voluntary

Columbia has allowed a hostile environment for Jewish students to fester for months. Violent protests, antisemitic slogans, pro-Hamas chants, and intimidation on campus became routine—and the administration did next to nothing. Complaints were ignored. Consequences were nonexistent.

Federal funding is not a blank check. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, institutions receiving taxpayer dollars must protect students from discrimination and harassment. Columbia failed that test. Pulling funding isn’t a punishment—it’s basic accountability.

2. Disruption Works When Dialogue Fails

Critics claim the cuts are reckless and indiscriminate. But the disruption is the point. For too long, elite universities have dismissed calls for reform. Only now—after federal funding was slashed—has Columbia begun:

• Reviewing its Middle Eastern Studies department,

• Reforming campus protest policies,

• Strengthening protections for Jewish students.

Change didn’t come through petitions or polite conversations. It came when the government put real pressure on the system. The message is clear: protect your students, or lose your funding.

3. You Can’t Separate Science from the System That Hosts It

Some argue that science and medicine should be insulated from political controversy. But universities are not neutral havens of inquiry anymore. They’re ideological ecosystems, where DEI bureaucracies and activist faculty often drive decisions—from hiring to curriculum to public messaging.

If the institution as a whole tolerates hate and radicalism, you can’t protect one “good” department from consequences. Sometimes, the system must be disrupted entirely to spark reform.

4. This Isn’t About Jews Being Used—It’s About Jews Being Protected

Dr. Geneslaw argues that Jews are being used as pawns. But the reality is the opposite: this intervention happened because Jewish civil rights were violated. Jewish students were harassed, threatened, and told they didn’t belong on their own campus.

What’s antisemitic is not the funding cut. What’s antisemitic is letting elite institutions normalize hate against Jews under the guise of “resistance” or “free speech.” This action reaffirms that Jewish safety is not negotiable.

5. Reforming Broken Institutions Benefits Everyone

Is it painful for scientists and researchers to have projects paused? Absolutely. But short-term disruption is a small price to pay if it forces universities to:

• Recommit to civil rights,

• Dismantle radicalized academic silos,

• Create safer, more merit-based environments for future generations.

You can’t cure a disease by treating symptoms. You have to address the rot at the core. That’s what this funding cut begins to do.

A Necessary Wake-Up Call

The decision to pull funding from Columbia isn’t about science or partisanship. It’s about integrity. Institutions that accept billions in taxpayer dollars must protect all students—especially those facing religious and ethnic harassment.

For decades, elite universities have enjoyed power without accountability. That era is over. This move doesn’t threaten democracy—it restores it. It sends a clear message to every university in America:

If you tolerate antisemitism, you won’t be tolerated by the American people.