John Fetterman backs Trump freezing $400M funding for Columbia University over ‘antisemitism’

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen John Fetterman (D-Pa) supported President Donald Trump's announcement that he would freeze federal grants for Colombia University amounting to $400 million because of anti-Israel demonstrations, Mediaite reported on Friday, March 7.

As per Axios, the Trump administration cited the alleged "continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students" by the institution to justify the decision. The New York City campus of Columbia University became the site for multiple pro-Palestinian protests amid Israel's attack on Gaza last year, following Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon slammed Columbia for neglecting the safety of Jewish students on Friday, stating, "Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding."

“For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus. Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer," she said.

John Fetterman's tweet supporting federal grants freeze for Columbia

Taking to the social media platform X, John Fetterman shared a screengrab of the Axios report and praised the federal administration's decision to cut aid to Columbia University for allegedly failing to ensure the safety of Jewish students.

“Columbia let antisemitism run amok to cater to lunatic fringe and paid provocateurs,” wrote the senator. “Leadership allowed those a**holes to take over the campus and terrorize Jewish students. Now, Columbia pays for its failure and I support that," he added.

The institution has announced that it will work with the White House to restore the funding. An official of Columbia told Axios in a statement, "We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is and are committed to combatting antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff."

John Fetterman gets slammed by netizens across political aisle

With John Fetterman opposing a trans-exclusionary bill for school sports earlier in the week, and now backing Donald Trump in cracking down on pro-Palestinian protests, his standing among both right and left-wing netizens appears shaky at present.

"My guy, you’ve made some sense recently, but still too back and forth. You are correct with this, however," wrote a user.

"Admit it you love TRUMP … come on John join the team we know you want to," jibed another.

"True, but you are all over the landscape," noted one user.

"Sir can we not defund universities that we so desperately need? And can you fight for America?" asked another.

"Who's side are you on?" inquired one user.

"You talk a lot on X. You're votes supporting these things . . . Not. So. Much," quipped another.

"You have no moral high after your despicable vote to not protect women’s sports," chided yet another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.