Columbia Expels, Suspends Students Over Campus Building Takeover 

United States: Columbia University has issued a range of disciplinary actions against students involved in the occupation of Hamilton Hall during last spring’s pro-Palestinian demonstrations. According to a university statement, the judicial board imposed sanctions including multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions. The administration declined to disclose specific details due to privacy laws but confirmed that students have the right to appeal, as reported by Reuters. 

Trump Administration Cuts $400M in Funding 

Last week, President Donald Trump’s administration announced it would halt $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, citing concerns over the institution’s handling of antisemitism. Interim President Katrina Armstrong acknowledged the government’s concerns and stated that Columbia is cooperating with officials to address the issue. 

Union Claims Retaliation Against Student Workers’ Leader 

The UAW Local 2710, which represents Columbia student workers, condemned the expulsion of its president, Grant Miner. The union claims that Miner’s expulsion occurred just before contract negotiations with the university and called it “the latest assault on First Amendment rights.” Columbia declined to comment on the matter. 

Campus Protests Reach Their Peak 

Anti-Israel demonstrations at Columbia University became the most inflammatory among all U.S. campuses. Columbia students took to the streets in October 2023 to show their opposition against U.S. backing of Israel’s military while advocating for Columbia University to break all relations with Israeli corporate partnerships. 

Student Detained by Federal Immigration Agents 

Federal authorities arrested Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil over the weekend, signaling what the administration described as the start of further detentions. The government has pledged tougher action against demonstrators it associates with Hamas supporters. Khalil’s deportation is currently on hold pending a federal judge’s ruling, as reported by Reuters. 

With protests, disciplinary actions, and political intervention colliding, Columbia remains at the center of a national debate on free speech, campus activism, and U.S. policy in the Middle East.