Photo: Getty Images
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has voiced her concerns over President Donald Trump's decision to freeze over $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell University. The freeze is part of a broader investigation into alleged civil rights violations at the university. Last month, President Trump warned that colleges failing to protect Jewish students might face funding cuts. However, Gillibrand argues that this move targets blue states like New York, calling it a politically motivated action.
Cornell University has acknowledged receiving more than 75 stop-work orders from the Defense Department related to significant research projects but has not confirmed the $1 billion figure. The university is actively seeking more information from federal officials regarding the funding freeze. According to the Associated Press, the funding freeze affects research crucial to national defense, cybersecurity, and health.
Gillibrand, alongside New York State Attorney General Letitia James, has expressed that the funding freeze could harm New Yorkers by affecting aid to seniors, food insecurity programs, and law enforcement funding. They argue that the freeze is detrimental to public safety and the well-being of New Yorkers. Gillibrand stated, "The chaos, uncertainty, and disorder fueled by the Trump administration is wreaking economic havoc on families and communities across New York" (Gillibrand's press release).
Cornell, along with other universities, has been warned by the Education Department about potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill their obligations to protect Jewish students. The funding freeze has raised concerns about its impact on scientific research and the goal of creating campuses free of antisemitism, as noted by Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education.