The Trump administration secured a significant legal victory as a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by faculty groups challenging the government’s cuts to Columbia University’s federal funding. The lawsuit stemmed from the administration’s decision to cut $400 million in funding to Columbia, citing alleged tolerance of antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests on campus. The judge ruled that the faculty unions lacked standing to bring the suit and failed to show how the administration had violated the law.

The judge, a Trump appointee, emphasized that it is not within the court’s purview to dictate executive branch policies without clear legal violations. Despite Columbia’s acceptance of the government’s terms to potentially restore funding, the university remained absent from the case. The administration’s actions extend beyond Columbia, with billions in funding cuts to other universities under scrutiny for alleged antisemitism.

While Harvard has filed lawsuits against the administration over funding cuts and bans on enrolling international students, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has taken legal action against the administration on various fronts. AAUP President Todd Wolfson expressed disappointment in the ruling but affirmed their commitment to challenging the administration’s authoritarian tactics.

The group representing AAUP and the American Federation of Teachers plans to appeal the ruling, condemning the administration’s use of public funding to exert control over higher education. Critics argue that the court’s decision fails to address the government’s punitive actions against universities based on student protests related to sensitive geopolitical issues. The ongoing legal battles underscore broader concerns about academic freedom, civil liberties, and the role of public funding in higher education.