Jessica Costescu of the Washington Free Beacon explains why the Trump administration is taking a closer look at Columbia University.

The Trump administration’s multi-agency task force to combat anti-Semitism is launching a review of Columbia University’s contracts and grants, citing the Ivy League institution’s “apparent failure” to protect Jewish students. It will probe more than $5 billion in federal funding commitments and could issue stop orders impacting more than $51 million in active contracts.

The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the U.S. General Services Administration announced the move in a Monday night press release. It came almost immediately after Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s confirmation.

“Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses. Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled,” McMahon said in a statement.

“Institutions that receive federal funds have a responsibility to protect all students from discrimination. Columbia’s apparent failure to uphold their end of this basic agreement raises very serious questions about the institution’s fitness to continue doing business with the United States government.”

McMahon has said she “wholeheartedly” supports President Donald Trump’s call to close the Department of Education. In the meantime, however, she’s pledged to focus on tackling campus anti-Semitism and DEI initiatives. Before her confirmation, in late January, Trump directed all federal agencies “to combat the explosion of anti-Semitism on our campuses and in our streets since October 7, 2023.” The Justice Department launched an anti-Semitism task force to “root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses” shortly thereafter.

The funding review comes as anti-Semitic student radicals continue to plague Columbia. Just last week, two anti-Semitic student groups, Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) and Columbia’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, stormed a campus building at Columbia’s sister school, Barnard College.