image sourced from original article at California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned a $1 billion settlement offer from President Donald Trump's administration to the University of California, Los Angeles, calling it political extortion. The Trump administration froze hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to UCLA, citing alleged violations of Jewish and Israeli students' civil rights during pro-Palestinian protests. Newsom's office accused Trump of weaponizing the Department of Justice to pressure the university system, stating that California will not yield to what it described as a political shakedown.
UCLA is currently reviewing the settlement offer, warning that paying such a large amount would devastate the institution. The controversy comes amid broader concerns over free speech and academic freedom, as well as rising tensions on campuses related to the conflict in the Middle East. While the government has settled similar cases with Columbia and Brown universities, talks with Harvard University are ongoing. Rights advocates have highlighted increased incidents of antisemitism, anti-Arab bias, and Islamophobia, but note that the administration has not launched equivalent probes into Islamophobia.
