Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Cuts to University of California

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration is prohibited from imposing fines on the University of California (UC) or cutting federal funding based on allegations of discrimination, including antisemitism. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin issued the ruling late on Friday, establishing a preliminary injunction that mandates the administration to provide notice and conduct hearings before any funding decisions are made.

The Trump administration had previously demanded that the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) pay $1.2 billion to restore frozen research funds and secure future funding eligibility, following accusations of permitting antisemitism on its campus. UCLA was the first public institution targeted by the administration over claims of civil rights violations and is part of broader actions against various universities, including private institutions like Columbia University.

In her decision, Judge Lin noted that labor unions and other groups representing UC faculty, students, and employees provided “overwhelming evidence” suggesting that the administration was engaged in a systematic effort to eliminate “woke,” “left,” and “socialist” perspectives from leading universities. Lin emphasized that officials in the administration, including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, have publicly outlined a strategy for initiating civil rights investigations at prominent universities to justify cutting off federal funding.

Lin commented, “It is undisputed that this precise playbook is now being executed at the University of California.” The court found that the administration’s actions constituted “coercive and retaliatory conduct in violation of the First Amendment and Tenth Amendment,” particularly in the context of ongoing civil rights probes within the UC system.

The administration’s demands included compliance from UCLA regarding its policies on gender identity and the creation of processes to prevent foreign students from being admitted if they might engage in antisemitic or anti-American disruptions. The latest settlement proposal, made public in October, has provoked concern among faculty and staff, who reported feeling pressured to avoid teaching subjects perceived as too politically charged.

UC President James B. Milliken highlighted that the imposition of such a substantial fine could severely impact the university system, known for its academic excellence. The UC system is currently engaged in settlement negotiations with the administration but is not a direct party to the lawsuit before Judge Lin, who was nominated to her position by President Joe Biden.

The university system reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding its governance and academic freedom in response to the ongoing situation. Lin’s injunction remains in effect indefinitely, blocking the administration from conditioning federal funding based on the UC’s agreement to measures that would violate the rights of faculty and students.

The ruling comes amidst a broader context of investigations into numerous universities by the Trump administration, which claims that diversity and inclusion initiatives discriminate against white and Asian American students. As the situation develops, the implications for university funding and academic freedom remain a significant concern for educational institutions across the country.