Trump antisemitism task force chief: Columbia settlement 'not even close'

Leo Terrell, chief of the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, says Columbia University is “not even close” to meeting the Trump administration’s demands for reforms in order to return some $400 million in canceled federal funds.

“There is no agreement. They’re not even close … to having those funds unfrozen,” Terrell told hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on “Cats & Cosby.”  

The comments come after a report by The Wall Street Journal that said Columbia was close to reaching a deal with the federal government over the administration’s demands for the university to change some of its policies, including changes to its disciplinary policies and putting certain departments under academic receivership, before discussions could be had about restoring the funds.

Republicans have accused several top schools, including Columbia, of failing to protect students from antisemitism during last year’s protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

The Trump administration has also targeted the immigration status of multiple participants in Columbia’s demonstrations.

“There was a rumor out there that there’s a settlement approaching to restore Columbia‘s $200 million that we froze. Let me be very clear … that’s not true … Columbia University is not an example of a university that is free from antisemitism,” Terrell said.  

“I’m going on a campus tour to 10 universities. Columbia is one of them. And we’re going to tell them that … if you want, federal funding … you have to allow Jewish-American students to go to school without being harassed or tormented,” he added.  

The deadline for Columbia to accept the terms of the Trump administration was on Thursday, but no updates have been given on the status of negotiations.