Trump threatens UCSD over alleged antisemitism on campus
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
UC San Diego is one of dozens of colleges and universities accused by the Trump administration of allowing "relentless" antisemitic harassment and discrimination to disrupt campus life.
Why it matters: President Trump is threatening to pull federal funding from schools that fail to protect Jewish students and allow "illegal protests" on campus, likely directed at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
- Last week, the administration revoked $400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University for its "continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students."
The big picture: Since taking office, Trump has pummeled universities with threats of funding cuts that affect medical research, race and diversity policies, athletics and campus life.
Driving the news: The Department of Education announced Monday that it sent letters to 60 universities that are under investigation or being monitored for civil rights violations, including UCSD and nine others in California.
- The Justice Department also launched an investigation last week into the University of California to assess whether campuses have allowed "an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist" amid pro-Palestinian protests.
Between the lines: Several colleges on the list, including UCSD, were investigated for discrimination by the Office for Civil Rights under the Biden administration.
- But Trump's Education Department said a "backlog of complaints" were allowed "to languish unresolved" under Biden.
What they're saying: UCSD did not provide a copy of the letter or details about an investigation, and referred Axios to the UC President's office.
- "We want to be clear: the University of California is unwavering in its commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting the civil rights of all our students, faculty, staff, and visitors," UC spokesperson Rachel Zaentz said in an emailed statement to Axios acknowledging the letters.
- "We continue to take specific steps to foster an environment free of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment for everyone in the university community."
Catch up quick: Protesters marched and set up a "Gaza solidarity" encampment on UCSD's campus last spring. After a few days, police tore it down and arrested 64 people including students, which led to more protests. No criminal charges were filed.
- Last year, UCSD earned a "D" for its "deficient approach" to addressing antisemitism, per an Anti-Defamation League report.
- The university and UC system have been working to improve the campus climate through new policies, funding and programming.