The Trump administration is seeking to place Columbia University under federal oversight through a proposed consent decree, which would involve a judge monitoring the university’s compliance with federal directives, The Wall Street Journal reported. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report states that negotiations are currently underway, though Columbia’s board has yet to decide on whether to accept the proposal.

The proposed decree would mark a significant departure from typical federal actions regarding educational institutions. Unlike voluntary agreements, a consent decree is a binding legal mechanism, overseen by a federal judge. Acceptance would require Columbia’s formal approval, and rejection could lead to a protracted legal conflict.

Federal officials have reportedly given Columbia two options: accept the consent decree or prepare for a legal battle that could expose the institution to greater scrutiny and a potentially harsher court-imposed outcome.

Trump administration’s broader clash with elite universities

This move comes amid a broader standoff between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions. Columbia drew federal attention in March when the administration suspended $400 million in grants and contracts, citing concerns over alleged campus antisemitism. The university initially agreed to a list of federal demands, but discussions have since expanded to include future access to federal funding.

The administration is reportedly demanding reforms that would end race-based admissions and promote greater viewpoint diversity among faculty members.

Harvard University is also facing a similar federal challenge, highlighting the administration’s growing tension with prominent educational institutions.

A spokesperson for Columbia University dismissed The Wall Street Journal's report, saying, “This story is based entirely on hearsay and does not hold merit.” She referred to a previous statement from acting university president Claire Shipman, who asserted that Columbia “would reject any agreement that would require relinquishing its independence.”

Should Columbia contest the proposed consent decree, the Department of Justice would be tasked with proving its necessity in court. Legal experts note that such proceedings could span years and place the university at risk of losing federal funding and facing extensive legal discovery that could heighten public scrutiny of internal affairs.

Legal experts warn of precedent in civil rights enforcement

The application of a consent decree in the context of civil rights in education would mark a major shift in federal policy, as per the report. Historically, the government has resolved such issues through voluntary agreements following investigations, agreements that lack judicial enforcement.

The Biden administration, by contrast, has used voluntary settlements to address antisemitism allegations at universities such as Brown and Rutgers.

Consent decrees have been more common in other domains, such as corporate regulation and police reform. Notably, during the Obama administration, they were frequently used to implement structural changes in law enforcement agencies across various cities.

Crackdown on universities expands under Trump’s 2024 campaign

Trump’s broader campaign against universities has focused on accusations of unchecked anti-Semitism, particularly in the wake of nationwide protests over the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. The administration has linked such protests to alleged support for Hamas and used that framing to justify sweeping crackdowns.

The measures include freezing funds, threatening universities' tax-exempt status (like Harvard's), and investigating diversity programs intended to rectify systemic inequalities. Trump officials claim such initiatives discriminate against non-minority applicants and reinforce ideological bias.

Visa threats, diversity programs under fire in broader purge

Foreign students have also come under increased scrutiny. The administration has taken steps to revoke visas and deport international students who took part in protests in support of Gaza. This has raised alarms among civil liberties organizations and academic freedom advocates.

Last week, Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi was released from federal immigration custody. A US judge ruled last Wednesday that Mahdawi could not be deported while he challenges the Trump administration’s attempt to remove him over his pro-Palestine activism.

Critics warn that the administration’s actions represent a coordinated assault on higher education, aimed at reshaping universities to align with the political goals of the White House. Academic leaders across the country have voiced concern that such policies risk undermining the autonomy and intellectual diversity of US institutions.