Columbia University’s leadership is in freefall as yet another President is forced out amid the school’s antisemitism scandal. The resignation comes after leaked comments revealed plans to renege on a critical agreement with the Trump administration that would restore $400 million in frozen federal funding.
At a glance:
• Columbia University’s Interim President Katrina Armstrong has resigned after a leaked transcript showed her unwillingness to comply with a federal agreement addressing campus antisemitism
• The Trump administration had frozen $400 million in funding due to the university’s handling of anti-Israel protests
• Armstrong is the fourth Ivy League President to resign amid pressures related to campus antisemitism and pro-Palestinian activism
• Board of Trustees Co-Chair Claire Shipman has been appointed Acting President effective immediately
• The Trump administration is also moving to deport several Columbia students involved in the protests
Trump Administration Forces Another Ivy League President Out
Columbia University’s Interim President Katrina Armstrong has stepped down following a major controversy over her plans to back out of an agreement with the federal government. Her resignation marks the latest chapter in the ongoing crisis that has engulfed the prestigious university since anti-Israel protests erupted on campus.
The university announced that Board of Trustees Co-Chair Claire Shipman will immediately take over as Acting President until a permanent replacement is found. Armstrong will return to her previous role leading Columbia’s Irving Medical Center after less than a year in the Interim President position.
The resignation comes after the Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal funding for Columbia, citing the university’s inadequate response to antisemitism on campus. The move was part of President Trump’s broader crackdown on universities that have failed to protect Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Secret Recording Reveals Deception
Armstrong’s downfall was accelerated by a leaked transcript from a faculty Zoom call that revealed her reluctance to implement terms of a deal she had publicly agreed to with the White House. The agreement included placing certain academic departments under receivership, redefining antisemitism guidelines, banning masks at protests, and hiring more diverse faculty.
Trump’s joint task force to combat antisemitism welcomed Armstrong’s departure, calling it “an important step toward advancing negotiations as set forth in the pre-conditional understanding reached last Friday.” The task force had made clear that Columbia needed to meet nine specific demands to have its federal funding restored.
“Columbia should not test the administration’s resolve in holding them to every action they’ve agreed to take to protect their students and faculty,” an unnamed source with the task force told the Free Press. “We expect full compliance and good faith negotiations if Columbia wants to have a productive relationship with the federal government.”
Armstrong attempted to salvage the situation with a statement saying, “I regret any confusion and inconsistent statements and want to make sure our position is clear as we go forward.” Her efforts proved insufficient as university leadership quickly moved to replace her.
Broader Crackdown on Campus Activism
Armstrong becomes the fourth Ivy League President to resign due to Republican pressures related to pro-Palestinian activism on campus. Previous resignations include the Presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, who faced intense scrutiny from congressional committees.
Columbia’s troubles extend beyond leadership challenges, as the State Department has targeted several of its students with visas for deportation over alleged “pro-Hamas” sentiment. Department of Homeland Security agents have been confirmed on campus as part of the administration’s effort to address what it considers antisemitic activity.
The university had agreed to several other changes, including reviewing admissions policies, requiring masked protesters to identify themselves, and barring demonstrations from academic buildings. The Joint Task Force on Antisemitism has demanded robust enforcement of the agreement to ensure the university’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
David Greenwald, a Columbia official, acknowledged Armstrong’s brief tenure in a statement saying, “Dr. Armstrong accepted the role of Interim President at a time of great uncertainty for the University and worked tirelessly to promote the interests of our community. Katrina has always given her heart and soul to Columbia.”
The university now faces the challenge of finding a permanent President who can navigate the demands of the Trump administration while addressing ongoing campus tensions and emerging restrictions on academic freedom.
