Education secretary says she spoke to Columbia, Harvard presidents about 'abiding by the law'

Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said she has spoken with the presidents of both Harvard and Columbia University about “abiding by the law” as the administration looks to change the school’s policies.

“I talked to the president of Columbia, I've also talked to the president of Harvard, and to how we could make sure that the universities were abiding by the law,” McMahon said Tuesday on CNBC.

“And I made it very clear. I said, these are not First Amendment infractions. This is civil rights.”

The Trump administration has been engaged in a debate with both universities over changing certain policies, including hiring and admission processes and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, among others.

Harvard became the first university to openly reject the administration’s demands, prompting President Trump to freeze more than $2 billion in funding for the school and call for the university to have its tax-exempt status revoked.

McMahon’s remarks come just after Harvard sued the Trump administration for cutting its funds. The suit marks an expected yet significant escalation in the battle.

The lawsuit accuses the administration of violating the First Amendment and is seeking to stop future harm from the federal government. The university has asked the judge to rule the administration’s demands are unconstitutional and reinstate the funding.

The Education secretary said she believes the issue isn’t about the First Amendment, but rather the civil rights of students on campus who experienced antisemitism in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests last year.

“This is making sure that students on all campuses can come and learn and be safe, and that is exactly what the president’s direction to me is … and that is why we have had these funds either withheld or frozen during a time of negotiation,” McMahon said.

Columbia also filed legal action and lost $400 million in federal grants as a result. The university decided to concede to the administration’s demands but has not yet seen their funding restored.

McMahon said she was “very pleased” with Columbia’s progress on campus and negotiations with the administration, which she said were “not quite finalized” yet.

Researchers have sounded the alarm that the funding cuts will impact lives and science down the line. The administration has argued that the wealthy universities don’t need the funding. McMahon said the research has been “incredibly beneficial,” but the government is sending a message that they are looking to hold the universities accountable to protect civil rights on campus.

McMahon argued that the letter of demands sent out was to set the stage for negotiations. Harvard has argued that it was a final offer, and the administration had hoped the university would “come back to the table to discuss.”

“It was a letter that was intended to have both parties sit down again and continue their negotiations. That’s what I sincerely hope will happen,” McMahon said.

She noted that the Trump administration will counter Harvard’s lawsuit, and the administration believes it is on “very solid grounds.”

“The reason that these funds have been frozen is because of a civil rights issue and not a freedom of speech issue,” McMahon said. “So, I feel very confident and solid in that approach by the government.”

The Hill has reached out to Harvard and Columbia for comment.