Northwestern president resigns as Trump's war on universities escalates

What they're saying: "Our community has made significant progress while simultaneously facing extraordinary challenges," Schill, who held the job for three years, said in a statement.

• "Together, we have made decisions that strengthened the institution and helped safeguard its future."

State of play: The university lost almost $800 million of its federal research funds, which the Trump administration abruptly froze in April.

• The move forced the institution to lay off hundreds of employees.
• At that time, Schill said the institution's financial situation was dire and "the most difficult in [the] institution's 174-year history."

Zoom in: Schill's tenure was turbulent, punctuated by being called to testify in front of Congress about the university's actions during 2024 protests over the war in Gaza.

• Schill negotiated with pro-Palestinean protesters to end demonstrations on campus, a move that was criticized by the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish groups, which called for his resignation.

Zoom out: Northwestern, which is considered Chicago's Big Ten school, has been in Trump's crosshairs since earlier this year.

• Trump has also targeted Harvard, Columbia and the University of Virginia, questioning everything from campus antisemitism to school curricula.
• University of Virginia president James Ryan resigned in June, after the Justice Department became convinced that Ryan was negotiating in "bad faith" on ending the school's DEI policies.
• Columbia president Minouche Shafik resigned last year following months of criticism from students, donors and members of Congress over how she handled pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

What's next: Northwestern's Board of Trustees is expected to name a new interim president, and Schill will remain in his role until that choice is made.