Judge Dismisses Unions' Lawsuit Over Columbia Funding Cuts

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by two faculty unions challenging the Trump administration's withholding of $400 million in federal funds from Columbia University, ruling the unions lacked legal standing since Columbia itself was not a party to the case. The lawsuit was filed after Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the funding cuts in response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus and concerns about the university's handling of student discipline and oversight of its Middle Eastern studies department. The judge emphasized that courts should not direct executive policy and noted that any wrongful withholding of funds could only be addressed by an appropriate plaintiff in the proper forum. This legal action is part of a broader Trump administration effort to pressure higher education institutions to conform with its policies, including threats to revoke Columbia's accreditation over alleged failures to protect Jewish students. Columbia has complied with some administration demands, such as increasing security and reviewing certain academic departments, while other universities like Harvard have resisted through legal challenges. Union leaders condemned the administration's actions as authoritarian and vowed to continue fighting against these measures.