California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized President Donald Trump's administration for offering a $1 billion settlement to the University of California, Los Angeles, calling it political extortion. The offer follows the government's decision to freeze hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for UCLA, citing the university's handling of pro-Palestinian protests and alleged violations of Jewish and Israeli students' civil rights. Newsom and university officials argue that the settlement demand is a political maneuver that threatens academic freedom and would financially devastate the institution.

The Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funds to universities over campus protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza. While UCLA reviews the settlement offer, rights advocates and experts warn that such actions raise serious concerns about free speech and academic independence. Recent settlements with other universities, including Columbia and Brown, have involved substantial payments and acceptance of government demands, while talks with Harvard continue.

Protesters and some Jewish groups contend that criticism of Israel's policies is being wrongly equated with antisemitism, and that advocacy for Palestinian rights is being unfairly linked to extremism. The conflict has fueled a rise in antisemitism, anti-Arab bias, and Islamophobia, but the administration has not announced similar investigations into Islamophobia. UCLA has recently settled lawsuits related to antisemitism and violence on campus, highlighting the tense environment surrounding these issues.