Stefanik pushes Biden admin to pull federal funding from Columbia University

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik this week pressed the heads of three federal agencies to use their authority to push back on pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have rocked Columbia University in recent days, including by revoking federal funds.

The university has seen large-scale demonstrations in support of Palestine amid the ongoing Israeli military activity in the Gaza Strip and fighting that has persisted since an Oct. 7 Hamas raid. Columbia University President Minouche Shafik this week moved classes online in a bid to "deescalate the rancor."

Writing to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Attorney General Merrick Garland, she warned the agency heads that "if you do not take action to stop the ongoing madness, you are equally complicit in allowing it to persist," according to Politico.

"Due to her lack of action, President Shafik has ceded control of campus and is failing to provide the equal protections guaranteed for students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964," Stefanik asserted.

Apart from pressing for the withholding of funds, Stefanik further asked Garland and Mayorkas to revoke visas and deport international students involved in "calling for terrorism and violent attacks."

The protests have attracted considerable scrutiny, including from national figures such as former President Donald Trump, who on Tuesday blamed President Joe Biden for the disruptions.

"What's going on at the college level… Columbia, NYU and others is a disgrace. And it's really on Biden," he said. ""He's got the wrong words. He doesn't know who he's backing. And it's a mess. And if this were me, they'd be after me, they'd be after me so much, but they're trying to get him a pass. And what's going on is a disgrace to our country."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.