Columbia University’s interim president resigns amid Trump's crackdown

Columbia University’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, has resigned and returned to her role at the university’s medical centre.

Her move comes shortly after Columbia agreed to policy changes required by the Trump administration to regain $400 million in government funding.

“As I planned when I took on this interim position, and with the support of the Board of Trustees, I am returning to my role as Chief Executive Officer of Columbia University’s Irving Medical Centre, Executive Vice President for Health and Biomedical Sciences, and Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons,” Armstrong said in a statement published on the Columbia University website on Friday.

Armstrong had stepped into the role after the previous president, Minouche Shafik, resigned following scrutiny of her handling of protests and campus divisions over the Israel-Hamas war.

The university’s trustees appointed the co-chair of their board, Claire Shipman, as acting president while the search for a permanent replacement continues.

Trump revokes federal funding

In March 2025, President Donald Trump revoked $400 million in federal funding to the university. While making the decision, he cited concerns over the institution’s handling of alleged antisemitic incidents on campus.

This action was part of a broader initiative under Executive Order 14188, aimed at combating antisemitism in educational institutions.

Columbia University implements policy changes

In response to the funding cut, Columbia University implemented several policy changes to address the administration’s demands.

These measures included empowering campus security officers with arrest authority, appointing a new senior vice-provost to oversee specific academic departments, and enforcing stricter regulations on student protests. These actions were taken to restore the federal funding and alleviate governmental pressure.