Trump Administration Demands $1 Billion from UCLA

University President Calls Demand “Devastating” Amidst Civil Rights Probe

The Trump administration is reportedly seeking a colossal $1 billion settlement from the University of California, Los Angeles. This demand follows accusations from the Department of Justice regarding antisemitism and other civil rights violations. UCLA is the first public university to face such a significant funding freeze under these allegations.

Federal Funding Frozen Over Antisemitism Claims

Weeks prior to this demand, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division issued a finding that UCLA had violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The finding stated the university showed “deliberate indifference” in creating a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students.

The administration has previously suspended federal funding for UCLA, totaling $584 million. This move is part of a broader strategy where the Trump administration has paused or frozen federal funding for elite private colleges over similar civil rights concerns.

University System Faces “Devastating” Financial Blow

University of California President James B. Milliken, who recently began his tenure, stated that the university had “just received” the Department of Justice document and would be reviewing it. He expressed grave concern over the proposed settlement’s size, asserting it would “devastate” the University of California system.

“As a public university, we are stewards of taxpayer resources and a payment of this scale would completely devastate our country’s greatest public university system as well as inflict great harm on our students and all Californians.”

—James B. Milliken, President of the University of California

California Governor Gavin Newsom characterized the demand as an act of political extortion, aiming to silence academic freedom. He vowed that California would not yield to such pressure, unlike other institutions that have reportedly complied with similar demands.

“He has threatened us through extortion with a billion-dollar fine unless we do his bidding.”

—Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

Experts suggest the substantial demand is politically motivated, particularly given California’s role as a vocal opponent of the Trump administration. The American Council on Education noted the aggressive nature of the demand, linking it to the state’s political stance.

Past Settlements and Ongoing Legal Battles

The Trump administration has previously secured settlements with institutions like Brown University for $50 million and Columbia University for $221 million. The Columbia deal, totaling $200 million, also saw the restoration of over $400 million in research grants. This approach appears to be a template for negotiations with other universities.

Harvard University is reportedly being pressured for a settlement significantly exceeding Columbia’s $200 million, even as it engages in legal battles to reclaim billions in federal research funding. The administration views these financial penalties as a standard expectation for universities facing similar allegations.

UCLA Reaches Separate Settlement Over Protest Disruptions

Separately, UCLA has agreed to a $6 million settlement with three Jewish students and a Jewish professor who alleged their civil rights were violated when pro-Palestinian protesters blocked their access to classes in 2024. This earlier settlement includes $2.3 million for organizations combating antisemitism.

The university’s response to the 2024 campus protests, including the dispersal of an encampment where counterprotesters attacked demonstrators, has been scrutinized. More than 200 arrests were made after hundreds defied orders to leave. Jewish students later reported being obstructed from attending classes by demonstrators.

In a prior ruling, a U.S. District Judge ordered UCLA to develop a plan to safeguard Jewish students on campus. The university has since implemented systemwide guidelines for protests and established an Office of Campus and Community Safety.