California Governor Newsom denounces Trump's $1 billion UCLA settlement proposal as extortion, asserting that California will not yield to such pressure
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) finds itself at the centre of a contentious dispute, with the Trump administration demanding a $1 billion settlement over allegations of antisemitism and discrimination related to pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
The proposed settlement also includes the creation of a $172 million claims fund for alleged victims of civil rights violations and a requirement for UCLA to submit to outside monitoring to address discrimination issues. This demand comes alongside the administration's suspension of $584 million in federal research grants due to findings that the university violated the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
University officials, including UC President James Milliken, have deemed the proposed settlement "unacceptable," warning that such a payment could devastate the university system, threatening its research, educational mission, and service to California and the nation. California Governor Gavin Newsom has indicated plans to sue the Trump administration over this issue rather than acquiesce.
The Jewish community and faculty members at UCLA have expressed concern that settling under these terms could set a dangerous precedent, potentially undermining academic freedom and intellectual discourse at major research universities like UCLA and Harvard. They fear this move is politically motivated and represents an attack on institutions in blue states.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, have expressed concerns that their criticism of Israel's actions is being equated with antisemitism. Notably, Columbia University has agreed to pay over $220 million to settle with the government, while Brown University has agreed to pay $50 million. Settlement talks with Harvard University are ongoing.
The allegation is that the university violated the civil rights of Jewish and Israeli students during pro-Palestinian protests. However, UCLA has agreed to pay over $6 million to settle a lawsuit alleging antisemitism. Moreover, UCLA was also sued this year over a 2024 violent mob attack on pro-Palestinian protesters.
Rights advocates have noted a rise in antisemitism, anti-Arab bias, and Islamophobia due to conflict in the Middle East. Interestingly, the Trump administration has not announced equivalent probes into Islamophobia.
A federal judge has since ordered the restoration of some portion of the suspended UCLA federal research grants, reflecting ongoing legal contention over the dispute. The White House had no immediate comment beyond the offer.
As the dispute continues, the future of UCLA and its role in academic freedom and research remains uncertain. The university's leaders and state officials stand firm in their rejection of the proposed settlement, raising questions about the administration's motives and the implications for universities across the nation.
- The controversy surrounding the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) extends beyond antisemitism and discrimination allegations, involving policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, as the administration demands a $1 billion settlement and the suspension of research grants.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East seem to have influenced crime-and-justice, with allegations of civil rights violations at UCLA stemming from pro-Palestinian protests and increases in antisemitism, anti-Arab bias, and Islamophobia.
