Mask ban under scrutiny as Columbia University complies with Trump order

• Dozens of masked protesters gathered at Columbia University in response to new restrictions on face coverings. The rule was introduced to comply with a Trump administration order aimed at combating antisemitism and potentially restoring $400 million in lost federal funds.
• According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Columbia’s interim president privately told faculty there was no mask ban in place but later clarified that the Trump-ordered policy changes are “real.”
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the importance of compliance for the restoration of funding.

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Dozens of masked protesters gathered on Columbia University’s campus on Monday, March 24, just days after school officials announced restrictions curbing face coverings to comply with a Trump administration order aimed at combatting antisemitism.

The university agreed to the measures as a precondition to potentially restoring $400 million in lost federal money.

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But The Wall Street Journal has reported that Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, told faculty in private that there wasn’t a mask ban in place.

According to the outlet, Armstrong downplayed several of the Trump-ordered policy changes during a meeting with faculty over the weekend.

How did Columbia’s interim president respond?

Armstrong soon responded, following the WSJ’s report in a statement on Tuesday, March 25, saying the Trump-ordered policy changes “are real.”

“Let there be no confusion: I commit to seeing these changes implemented, with the full support of Columbia’s senior leadership team and the board of trustees,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong’s original announcement of campus changes said police would be authorized to “remove individuals from campus and/or arrest them when appropriate” and that “face masks or face coverings are not allowed for the purpose of concealing one’s identity in the commission of violations of university policies or state, municipal or federal laws.”

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What is Linda McMahon’s message to Columbia?

The New York Post reported that Education Secretary Linda McMahon told a group of reporters on Tuesday, March 25, Columbia University must “comply” with its public commitments in order to regain funding. 

McMahon did not directly comment on the reported comments Armstrong made to faculty.