DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
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Domestic Affairs
Columbia University Reinstates Federal Funding: Columbia University has agreed to several changes demanded by the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funding that was previously cut amid allegations of the university tolerating antisemitism. These changes include increased political oversight of Middle East scholars, banning face masks on campus, empowering security officers to arrest individuals, and hiring special officers with arrest powers.
Department of Education Dismantling: President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the dismantling of the Department of Education. This move aligns with his administration's ongoing efforts to reduce federal oversight in education.
Immigration Policy Changes: The Trump administration plans to revoke the temporary legal status of 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Additionally, legal aid has been cut off for 26,000 unaccompanied immigrant children. Thousands of agents have been diverted to support these immigration enforcement actions.
Foreign Policy
Military Actions in Yemen: The United States has launched large-scale air and naval attacks against locations in Yemen, targeting Houthi radars, air defenses, and missile and drone systems. This marks the most significant American military action in the Middle East since President Trump's second term began.
Sports
March Madness 2025: The NCAA basketball tournament, known as March Madness, is currently underway. The tournament began on March 18 and will run until April 7, featuring 68 teams competing for the championship title. Defending champions UConn aim to secure a three-peat triumph, a feat only achieved by UCLA from 1967 to 1973.
USMNT Falls to Panama: In the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Semifinals, the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) lost to Panama in Mauricio Pochettino's first competitive match as their coach. Despite dominating possession, the USMNT struggled to break down Panama's defense and failed to score, missing out on advancing to the championship match.
Entertainment
"American Dad" Returns to Fox: The animated series "American Dad" is set to return to its original network, Fox, starting with season 20. TBS confirmed they would no longer air new episodes after the season 19 finale on March 24, 2025. Reruns will continue to air on TBS and other Warner Bros. Discovery networks like Adult Swim and TruTV until at least 2030.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Revocation of Security Clearances
President Trump has revoked the security clearances of several prominent political figures, including former President Joe Biden and his family, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. This action also affects Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and former Biden officials Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, and Lisa Monaco. The revocations aim to deny these individuals access to classified information and secure government facilities.
Columbia University Federal Funding Restored
Columbia University has agreed to implement changes demanded by the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funding that was previously cut due to allegations of tolerating antisemitism. The university will increase political oversight of Middle East scholars, ban face masks on campus, empower security officers to arrest individuals, and hire special officers with arrest powers.
New Fighter Jet Development
President Trump announced the development of the F-47, a sixth-generation fighter jet described as the "most lethal ever," featuring its own drone swarm capabilities. The project, awarded to Boeing with a contract reportedly worth $20 billion, is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The F-47's name reflects Trump's status as the 47th president.
Executive Order on Education
The President issued an executive order titled "Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities." This order aims to enhance student success by increasing parental involvement and reducing federal oversight in education.
Recent Cabinet Meeting
President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently held a cabinet meeting to discuss national security and defense strategies. The meeting addressed current military initiatives and future defense planning.
Key Changes Implemented by Columbia University:
Enhanced Oversight of Middle East Studies: The university has placed its Middle East studies department under new supervision to address concerns about bias and ensure a balanced representation of perspectives.
Redefinition of Antisemitism: Columbia has adopted a new definition of antisemitism, aligning with federal guidelines, to better identify and address related incidents on campus.
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Promotion of Intellectual Diversity: The institution plans to expand its Israel and Jewish Studies Institute to foster a more diverse range of viewpoints and scholarly discourse.
Revised Protest and Disciplinary Policies: New rules have been established regarding campus protests and student discipline, including a ban on face masks during demonstrations (with exceptions for health or religious reasons) and the hiring of additional public safety personnel with arrest authority.
Appointment of a Senior Provost: A senior provost has been appointed to review international studies programs, ensuring they meet the university's standards for academic integrity and balance.
These measures come after the administration's earlier decision to withdraw federal funding, citing the university's handling of protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. The policy changes have sparked criticism from faculty and free speech advocates, who view them as potential threats to academic freedom.
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In a related development, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student activist, was recently detained by immigration authorities on accusations of supporting Hamas during campus demonstrations. His arrest has caused widespread concern among students and faculty, raising questions about freedom of expression and the university's role in protecting its community members.
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Columbia's administration, led by interim president Dr. Katrina Armstrong, has faced criticism for its perceived inaction and vague communications regarding these events. The university's compliance with government demands, in light of threatened funding cuts, has further inflamed concerns about academic freedom and student safety.
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