Columbia criticized for antisemitism handling during protests

Columbia University and Barnard College faced criticism for their handling of anti-Israel protests that included antisemitic incidents. The U.S. Department of Education canceled about $400 million in federal grants, citing failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination. The federal government, however, is limited by the First Amendment in addressing speech-related issues. While there are concerns about unlawful discrimination, any federal action must follow legal procedures, not be based on social media posts. A recent incident involved the arrest of a Columbia graduate student, Mahmoud Khalil, amid confusion over his immigration status. The federal government’s authority regarding speech and campus actions is constrained by constitutional protections.