President Donald Trump's Commitment to Ensure Student Safety at Five Universities, Including Columbia and Berkeley

President Donald Trump's Commitment to Ensure Student Safety at Five Universities, Including Columbia and Berkeley

Washington: The Trump administration announced on Monday that new investigations have been launched into allegations of anti-Semitism at five U.S. universities, including Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley. This action is part of President Donald Trump's commitment to take a tougher stance against anti-Semitic sentiments on campuses, compared to the cases settled with universities under the Biden administration.

The new investigations involve Columbia, Berkeley, the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, and Portland State University. These investigations have been initiated using the Department of Education's Civil Rights review authority, which is typically used for complaints rather than formal investigations.

In addition, the Trump administration has sought to take action against foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests, including through expulsion. An official from the Department of Education stated, "This administration will not tolerate neglect of Jewish students' welfare on campus."

Presidents of Columbia and Northwestern universities testified before Congress last year when Republicans pushed for universities to be held accountable for allegations of anti-Semitism during protests against Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Portland State University stated that the start of an investigation does not imply that the allegations are proven, but they will fully cooperate.

Under Trump's directive, a new "task force" has been formed to combat anti-Semitism with the assistance of the Department of Education and the Department of Justice.