Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against Trump administration over Columbia funding freeze

On June 16, 2025, in the Southern District of New York, a federal judge ruled in favor of the Trump administration regarding a significant funding freeze affecting Columbia University. Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed a lawsuit filed by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), claiming the unions lacked legal standing to sue for the reinstatement of over $400 million in federal grants. This funding, primarily sourced from the National Institutes of Health, had been suspended due to Columbia's handling of antisemitic incidents and campus unrest that created a perceived hostile environment. The judge criticized the plaintiffs for resorting to sensational rhetoric instead of solid legal arguments in their lawsuit. Her decision underscored that elected officials have the authority to manage funding based on the conduct of institutions, especially when such conduct leads to a breakdown in a safe academic environment. The ruling was seen as a reaffirmation of the judiciary's role in maintaining the balance of powers, indicating that political disagreements should not automatically lead to judicial intervention. As a consequence, the funding freeze remains in place, reflecting both the administration's stance on accountability and the legal limits of advocacy in the education sector. Furthermore, the dismissal of the lawsuit serves as a reminder that not all adversities faced by educational institutions warrant legal recourse, thereby upholding the principle that courts should not serve as platforms for political contests.