UCLA says Trump administration froze $750 million of its federal funding
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The US government alleges universities, including UCLA, allowed anti-Semitism during the protests.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump’s administration has frozen US$584 million (S$750 million) in federal funding for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the university said on Aug 6, after the government reprimanded it over pro-Palestinian protests.
The Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funds for universities over pro-Palestinian protests
The government alleges universities, including UCLA, allowed anti-Semitism during the protests.
Large demonstrations took place at UCLA in 2024.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly equates their criticism of Israel’s military assault in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with anti-Semitism, and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, in an update on the university website, said: “Currently, a total of approximately US$584 million in extramural award funding is suspended and at risk.”
The Los Angeles Times reported that UCLA leaders were preparing to negotiate with the government over the freeze. The White House had no immediate response to a request for comment.
Last week, the university agreed to pay more than US$6 million to settle a lawsuit by some students and a professor who alleged anti-Semitism.
It was also sued earlier in 2025 over an attack in 2024 on pro-Palestinian protesters at the height of the US campus protest movement.
The government has in recent weeks settled its probes with Columbia University, which agreed to pay more than US$220 million, and Brown University, which said it will pay US$50 million. Both institutions accepted certain government demands. Talks to settle with Harvard University are ongoing.
Rights advocates have raised concerns about academic freedom and free speech.
The government has also attempted to deport foreign student protesters but has faced judicial roadblocks.
Stanford University’s student-run newspaper sued the Trump administration on Aug 6, saying student writers were censoring themselves and turning down assignments related to Gaza to avoid being targeted for deportation. REUTERS
