On March 4, 2025, Donald Trump threatened to halt federal funding for colleges or schools allowing 'illegal protests' and vowed to imprison 'agitators'.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (Fire) condemned Trump's remarks, stating they could chill student protests about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Trump administration announced a review of over $50 million in government contracts with Columbia University due to alleged inaction against harassment of Jewish students.

Columbia University faced protests over the Gaza conflict, resulting in over 100 student arrests and the resignation of its president, Minouche Shafik.

An executive order signed by Trump in January 2025 aimed to combat antisemitism, including measures against foreign students identified as 'Hamas sympathizers'.