Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Threats to University of California

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot impose fines or cut funding to the University of California (UC) based on allegations of discrimination, particularly claims of antisemitism on its campuses. In a decisive ruling issued on October 27, 2023, U.S. District Judge Rita Lin, based in San Francisco, granted a preliminary injunction that prohibits the administration from taking such actions without prior notice to affected faculty members and a proper hearing.

The ruling follows a summer demand by the administration for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to pay $1.2 billion to restore frozen research funding and maintain eligibility for future support. UCLA was singled out as the first public university targeted by the administration regarding alleged civil rights violations. Similar funding suspensions have also affected private institutions, including Columbia University.

Judge Lin’s decision underscores the concerns raised by labor unions and faculty groups at UC. They provided substantial evidence indicating that the Trump administration was engaged in efforts to eliminate “woke,” “left,” and “socialist” viewpoints from major universities. In her ruling, Lin stated, “It is undisputed that this precise playbook is now being executed at the University of California.” She emphasized that the administration’s actions constituted “coercive and retaliatory conduct” that violated the First and Tenth Amendments.

As part of her injunction, Lin also prohibited the administration from conditioning the provision of federal funding on the UC’s agreement to any measures that would infringe upon the rights of faculty and staff. The judge cited examples of attempts to impose restrictions on research and teaching and to screen international students based on perceived ideological biases, such as “anti-Western” or “anti-American” views.

Following the ruling, messages sent to the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice seeking comment were not immediately returned. The injunction will remain in effect indefinitely, allowing the UC system to continue its operations without the threat of severe financial penalties.

James B. Milliken, President of the University of California, has previously warned that the proposed fine against UCLA would be devastating for the UC system, which includes some of the nation’s leading public universities. While UC is engaged in settlement talks with the administration, it is not a party to the lawsuit before Judge Lin, who was appointed by President Joe Biden.

In statements released after the ruling, the university system reiterated its commitment to protecting its mission, governance, and academic freedom. The Trump administration’s demands have included compliance with its views on gender identity and the establishment of processes to prevent the admission of foreign students who may engage in anti-American or antisemitic behavior.

President Trump has frequently criticized elite colleges for being dominated by liberal ideologies and has initiated investigations into numerous universities, alleging that they have failed to eliminate racial preferences in violation of civil rights laws. The administration’s stance holds that initiatives aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion discriminate against white and Asian American students.

As the situation unfolds, the implications of Judge Lin’s ruling may have significant consequences for federal funding and the broader discourse surrounding academic freedom and civil rights in higher education.