Thirteen conservative U.S. federal judges, all appointed by former President Donald Trump, declared a boycott against Columbia University on Monday.
They penned a letter to Columbia’s President and Law Dean, denouncing the Manhattan campus as an “incubator of bigotry” in light of its handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Accusing Columbia of fostering antisemitism and bigotry, the judges expressed dismay at professors and administrators allegedly encouraging disruptions on campus.
The university’s failure to respond adequately to these incidents prompted the judges to take action.
The boycott targets Columbia’s law students and undergraduates, affecting their prospects for clerkships—a prestigious pathway to high-paying legal careers.
The judges emphasized that the boycott would extend to students entering Columbia in the upcoming fall term.
Columbia’s decision to cancel its main graduation ceremony further intensified the situation, indicating the ongoing challenges posed by the protests.
Protests against the conflict in Gaza have reverberated across numerous U.S. universities, including Columbia.
Demonstrators maintained a presence on Columbia’s campus for weeks before escalating tensions led to temporary occupation of a campus building. The New York City police intervened, resulting in the arrest of over 100 individuals.
While the judges’ letter reflects a significant stance, it represents only a fraction of the nearly 900 federal judges nationwide.
Two-thirds of the signatories hail from Texas, with some having gained national attention for their judicial decisions, including one judge who suspended approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.
This boycott follows previous actions by conservative judges against other prestigious universities, citing similar concerns over disruptions of conservative speakers on campus.
Despite its limited scope, the boycott underscores the broader debate surrounding free speech and campus activism in American higher education.
