On March 14, the U.S. Justice Department announced an investigation into whether the student protests at Columbia University surrounding the Gaza war breached federal terrorism laws. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reported this development on Friday, highlighting the seriousness of the inquiry.
The investigation aims to determine if there were any civil rights violations related to the protests that significantly impacted the New York campus last year. Blanche emphasized that the probe is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to combat antisemitism across the nation.
Blanche indicated that the investigation will also examine whether Columbia University's response to prior incidents on campus violated civil rights laws and potentially involved terrorist crimes. He described this inquiry as "long overdue," underscoring the urgency of addressing these serious allegations.
Additionally, the Justice Department executed a search warrant on Thursday night as part of a separate investigation into whether Columbia University has been harboring undocumented immigrants on its campus. This aspect of the investigation highlights the multifaceted nature of the legal scrutiny facing the institution.
As this situation develops, the implications for Columbia University and its student body remain significant, raising questions about the intersection of free speech, civil rights, and federal laws.
Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Scott Malone.
