Anti-Defamation League Calls For BAN on Foreign University Funds

ADL chief Jonathan Greenblatt’s praise for Trump’s crackdown on campus antisemitism is sending shockwaves through higher education, as calls mount to end all foreign funding and universities brace for unprecedented federal intervention.

Story Snapshot

ADL CEO Greenblatt credits the Trump administration with forcing universities to act against rising campus antisemitism.
Greenblatt joins conservatives in demanding a total ban on foreign funding in U.S. higher education, with a spotlight on Qatar.
Major universities are suing the federal government over aggressive intervention—putting academic freedom and campus autonomy at risk.
Jewish organizations remain divided, with some warning that overreach could backfire on free speech and due process.

Trump Administration’s Bold Move Against Campus Antisemitism

In July 2025, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt shocked the academic establishment by publicly praising President Trump’s “constructive” interventions to address an explosion of antisemitic incidents on college campuses. According to new data released by the ADL, reports of harassment, vandalism, and threats against Jewish students have reached record highs, with 20% of incidents now occurring within higher education. The Trump administration’s response has been swift and forceful, threatening to cut off federal funding and launch investigations into universities that fail to protect Jewish students.

This aggressive federal stance signifies a sharp turn from prior administrations, which largely relied on voluntary compliance and weaker enforcement. Now, institutions that previously resisted change face direct threats to their financial viability if they do not comply with federal directives. For many conservatives, this marks a long-overdue reckoning after years of leftist tolerance for radical activism and administrative inaction. Greenblatt’s endorsement of these measures, despite his own concerns about government overreach, is a significant victory for those demanding accountability and a return to constitutional values on campus.

Legal and Political Showdown: Universities Fight Back

Universities such as Harvard are not taking these interventions lightly. In April 2025, several elite institutions filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, arguing that federal threats and investigations overstep constitutional boundaries and risk chilling legitimate speech. Legal experts note that while Title VI of the Civil Rights Act has long provided mechanisms to address discrimination, the current administration’s approach is far more punitive, leveraging funding as a powerful tool to force compliance. This legal battle pits university autonomy and academic freedom against the urgent need to protect Jewish students from harassment and intimidation.

The lawsuits have divided public opinion, with mainstream Jewish organizations generally supporting strong action to combat antisemitism, but disagreeing on methods. Some groups warn that federal overreach could undermine civil liberties, while others argue that universities have ignored the issue for too long and require outside pressure to act. As the courts weigh in, the broader debate over the definition of antisemitism and the limits of federal power continues to intensify.

Calls to End Foreign Funding and Restore American Values

One of the most consequential developments is Greenblatt’s call for a complete ban on foreign funding in American higher education, specifically targeting money from Qatar and other Middle Eastern sources. This demand resonates with conservatives who have long warned about the corrosive influence of foreign donors on campus culture and public discourse. Critics contend that foreign money has fueled radical activism and undermined traditional American values, while shielding universities from accountability. The push to eliminate this funding could fundamentally reshape university budgets and research priorities, forcing institutions to focus once again on serving American students and interests—rather than globalist agendas.

At the same time, this move raises difficult questions about academic freedom and international partnerships, with some warning of unintended consequences for research and innovation. Still, the momentum behind Greenblatt’s proposal reflects growing frustration with the status quo and a demand for transparency, sovereignty, and constitutional principles in higher education.

Divided Jewish Community and Broader Implications

The Jewish community itself is deeply divided over these policies. While the ADL and other organizations support decisive federal intervention to ensure Jewish student safety, liberal Jewish groups and civil liberties advocates warn that conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism could threaten free speech. Critics also caution that mass federal involvement risks unintended backlash and further polarization on campuses already under siege from radical activism. The current debate highlights the broader struggle to balance individual rights, institutional autonomy, and government responsibility in a highly charged political climate.

ADL CEO: Trump Admin. Has Helped Get Schools that Wouldn‘t Change to Do So https://t.co/aNz3NYtm2a via @BreitbartNews

— Tom (@thmsm74) August 19, 2025

Looking forward, the battle over campus antisemitism, foreign funding, and federal authority is far from over. The administration’s bold approach has energized supporters seeking to restore law, order, and constitutional values to American higher education. Yet, the ongoing legal fights and divided public opinion ensure this issue will remain a flashpoint for years to come, with lasting consequences for students, universities, and the nation as a whole.