Trump freezes $1B in funding to Cornell, Northwestern University amid civil rights crackdown

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The Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell University and $790 million for Northwestern University amid investigations into alleged civil rights violations, according to a U.S. official.

The funding freeze affects grants and contracts primarily from the Departments of Health, Education, Agriculture, and Defense. This move is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on universities, particularly in response to pro-Palestinian campus protests, diversity and inclusion programs, and transgender policies.

Last month, the administration warned 60 universities, including Cornell and Northwestern, that they could face enforcement actions if investigations determined they failed to curb what the administration defined as antisemitism on campus.

Cornell University confirmed it received "stop work" orders from the Department of Defense concerning research on defense, health, and cybersecurity, although it had not received formal notification of the total funding freeze. It is currently seeking more information.

Northwestern University also said it had not been officially informed of the freeze, but it acknowledged the media reports and emphasized that federal funding is vital for its innovative research, including projects like the world’s smallest pacemaker and Alzheimer’s research.

This action is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to exert pressure on academic institutions. For instance:

Harvard University is under review for $9 billion in grants and contracts.

Columbia University had $400 million in funding canceled but has begun negotiating with the government after making requested changes.

Princeton University reported dozens of frozen research grants.

The University of Pennsylvania lost $175 million over its transgender sports policies.

The administration has also begun detaining and deporting some foreign students involved in protests and revoking student visas.

Critics, including human rights advocates, have raised free speech and academic freedom concerns, warning that this crackdown may be politically motivated and that it conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Some Jewish groups participating in the protests have also argued that their actions are not antisemitic, but rather expressions of solidarity with Palestinians.

Meanwhile, concerns about Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias have also been raised, though the Trump administration has not announced any measures in response to those issues.