The head of the federal task force to combat anti-Semitism dismissed the “rumors” on Thursday, claiming that Columbia University is approaching a deal to recover $400 million in federal funds frozen by the Trump administration, and that Ivy League schools are “not approaching” to meet President Trump's demands.
“There were rumours that Colombia's $400 billion freezing settlement is approaching. What we freeze should be very clear to your listeners and the nation and the Jewish American community. That's not true.”
Local outlet WABC-TV and Wall Street Journal Both reported that Columbia University is approaching a contract to meet nine prerequisites set by the Trump administration.
The administration moves forward for “formal negotiations” on elite schools' “continued fiscal relations with the US government” in April 2024, demanding schools punishing those who punish those responsible for the violent takeovers at Hamilton Hall in April 2024, implementing mask bans on campus, administering African descent, administering “South” scientists and Asian scientists to compete, and giving someone outside the faculty the authority to make decisions for their faculty.
“With President Trump and [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has committed this task force. We intend to eradicate anti-Semitism in all these schools. I'm submission to Rita, Rita, which is not happening at this point at Columbia University,” Terrell said.
“In my opinion, Colombia is not my opinion and I will tell you now that the Department of Justice's opinion is not cleaning up their actions regarding anti-Semitism,” he added. “I'm also telling you there's no agreement. They're not even close. They're not approaching not freezing these funds.”
“Jewish American students aren't comfortable going to that school,” Terrell said of Columbia.
Columbia University agreed to the prerequisites in the face of a deadline Thursday, but the Trump administration extended the deadline until the end of Friday, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The university declined to comment on Terrell's remarks or the circumstances of the negotiations.
The anti-Semitism task force head further revealed that he will soon be on a tour of 10 universities.
“One of the universities on my list doesn't meet that standard,” Terrell said.
