University of California (UC) President James Milliken reported on 8/8 that the university system received a $1 billion penalty demand from the Trump administration and is reviewing it.
The UC system comprises 10 campuses, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This action comes as the Trump administration pursues allegations that UCLA acted in an antisemitic manner while handling student protests concerning Gaza in 2024.
"As a public university system, we are stewards of taxpayer dollars, and an expenditure of this magnitude would be absolutely devastating to the nation’s greatest public university system, severely harming our students and the people of California," Milliken stated.
He emphasized the importance of UC and UCLA's research to the American public, stating that it provides "life-saving medical technology and therapies, fuels economic growth, and safeguards our national security."
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The University of California, Los Angeles campus in 2024. Photo: AP |
The University of California, Los Angeles campus in 2024. Photo: AP
California Governor Gavin Newsom labeled the federal government's action as "extortion" and announced his intention to file a lawsuit.
US media reports indicate the Trump administration wants the penalty paid in installments. Washington also reportedly demands an additional $172 million from UC for a restitution fund for those affected by the university's alleged "discrimination," including Jewish students.
The federal government previously froze over half a billion USD in scientific and medical research funding at UCLA.
This latest move appears similar to tactics Trump used to pressure Columbia University and is currently employing against Harvard University.
Columbia University previously agreed to a $200+ million settlement, five times less than the amount demanded from UC, to resolve federal allegations of antisemitism. The agreement included a commitment to adhere to regulations prohibiting the consideration of race in admissions or hiring, among other concessions.
UC and its campuses face multiple federal investigations regarding allegations of considering race in admissions, discriminatory hiring practices against Jewish individuals, violating the civil rights of Jewish students, and misreporting foreign donations.
UCLA faces the most allegations within the UC system, largely stemming from student protests supporting Palestine in 2024, during which students erected a tent encampment.
Jewish students who support Israel and a professor subsequently filed a federal lawsuit, alleging UCLA condoned antisemitism by not dismantling the encampment, which allegedly blocked access for pro-Israel Jewish individuals on campus. UCLA settled the lawsuit for $6.45 million.
Pham Giang (AFP, Los Angeles Times)
