A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by two Columbia University faculty unions, delivering a major legal victory for the Trump administration and a sharp warning to elite universities across the country. The case challenged the administration’s decision to cut over $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University after the school was accused of allowing antisemitism and political extremism to fester on campus.
Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil of the Southern District of New York ruled that the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) had no legal standing to sue, since Columbia University itself had not joined the case.
“The funding that plaintiffs ask this court to commandeer was awarded to Columbia, which is conspicuously absent from this case,” the judge wrote. She also made clear that courts should not interfere with executive actions unless a clear legal violation is proven, stating, “Our democracy cannot very well function if individual judges issue extraordinary relief to every plaintiff who clamors to object to executive action.”
The ruling is being hailed by Trump supporters as a major step toward holding powerful universities accountable for what they describe as years of politically driven misconduct and failure to protect students from hate and harassment.
Columbia Targeted for Allowing Antisemitism to Spread
Columbia University became the first major school to face funding cuts under President Trump’s post-election education crackdown. The Department of Education said the university had violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by allowing an unsafe environment for Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests. Officials demanded reforms, including new disciplinary procedures, closer oversight of the Middle Eastern Studies department, and better protections for student safety.
Instead of directly challenging the funding decision in court, Columbia quietly accepted many of the administration’s terms. It did not file its own lawsuit and remained mostly silent throughout the legal process. Judge Vyskocil noted this in her decision, writing that Columbia had only appeared in the case to object to the disclosure of internal legal documents.
“This week’s ruling is a win for the rule of law and the American taxpayer who should have never been forced to sponsor discrimination in the first place,” said Madi Biedermann, a spokesperson for the Department of Education.
A Message to Other Universities: Comply or Face the Consequences
The Columbia ruling is just the beginning. The Trump administration has already pulled or frozen more than $7 billion in federal funds from a list of universities it says are promoting anti-American values and failing to uphold civil rights protections.
Harvard University, for example, has lost more than $3 billion in federal funding and has filed multiple lawsuits against the administration. So far, it is the only school to take legal action directly. The judge’s ruling in the Columbia case suggests that unless a university itself steps up to challenge the administration, other lawsuits from third parties are unlikely to succeed.
Dozens of additional universities are under investigation, and some have been warned they may lose access to student aid and research grants. Columbia has even been referred to its accrediting agency. If it loses accreditation, it could be cut off entirely from federal student aid, a devastating blow for any institution.
Unions and Activist Groups Push Back
Despite the court defeat, faculty unions say they are not giving up. “This is a disappointing ruling, but by no means the end of the fight,” said Todd Wolfson, president of the AAUP. “The Trump administration’s threats and coercion at Columbia University are part of an authoritarian agenda that extends far beyond Columbia.”
Radhika Sainath, a senior attorney with Palestine Legal, called the decision “deeply problematic,” claiming the government is trying to silence political speech and protest movements. She said the court “uncritically takes the government’s line for granted, that speech activity critical of Israel is inherently anti-Jewish.”
Protect Democracy, the legal group representing the unions, said it plans to appeal the decision. But with Columbia refusing to participate and the court’s strong support for executive authority, the outlook for that appeal appears uncertain.
A Turning Point in the Fight Over Higher Education
For many Trump supporters, this is a long overdue reckoning for elite universities that have used billions in taxpayer funding while promoting what they view as radical ideologies, divisive politics, and one-sided narratives. They argue that schools like Columbia and Harvard have lost touch with core American values and should be forced to either reform or lose their privileges.
The judge’s ruling reinforces that position. As the administration continues its campaign to reform higher education, the message to universities is clear: take responsibility for what happens on your campus or prepare to face serious consequences.
NP Editor: Every victory along these lines sets a precedent that supports Trump’s position. Trump dealt severe blows to these universities for their sins and they deserve it.
