U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visits "Fox & Friends" at the Fox News Channel Studios March 7, 2025, in New York City. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)
"This agreement is going to be an excellent template for other universities to be able to use as well," McMahon said.
COLUMBIA PROFESSORS DEMAND ANSWERS AS WHITE HOUSE FINALIZES NEGOTIATIONS WITH IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITY
Several Jewish leaders have spoken to Fox News Digital about the "existential threat" they say Jewish New Yorkers are facing since 33-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani became the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.
During the primary campaign, Mamdani's refusal to condemn the phrase "Globalize the intifada" and recognize Israel as a Jewish state triggered accusations he was antisemitic.
He has since said he would discourage others from using the phrase and has continuously affirmed his commitment to condemning the rise of antisemitism in New York City.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testifies at a House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing on the Department of Education on Capitol Hill May 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
But the education secretary said what is most important in Columbia University's settlement is that it will "lay the groundwork, so regardless of what incidents may or may not occur, you're prepared for it."
McMahon said Columbia now has a "great working relationship" with the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The settlement includes Columbia's commitment to "enforcing strict rules against disruptive protests, prohibiting masked protests and maintaining trained security officers and ongoing cooperation with the New York Police Department."
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"They won't hesitate to bring them in to make arrests," McMahon warned. "There will be consequences. People will be expelled. They'll be suspended. If there's criminal activity, they can go to jail.
"The accountability factor of this agreement is incredibly strong, and that's the message we intend to send, that students on campus need to be in an environment for study."
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/education-secretary-linda-mcmahon-touts-columbia-university-200m-settlement-template