Trump Admin Reaches Settlement With Northwestern to Restore $790 Million in Frozen Funds

The Justice Department froze funds from Northwestern University, alleging the school violated federal anti-discrimination laws.

The Northwestern Wildcats logo on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., on April 9, 2025. Vincent Alban/Reuters

The Trump administration on Nov. 28 announced a deal with Northwestern University to restore $790 million in federal research funding and end ongoing probes, with the school agreeing to pay $75 million.

The agreement puts an end to investigations into alleged civil rights violations at the university, which is located in Evanston, Illinois, stemming from allegations that the university failed to appropriately address anti-Semitism on its campus, especially during protests over the war in Gaza.

In a statement, the Justice Department detailed the terms of the agreement that the university has accepted.

“Northwestern agrees to adhere to federal anti-discrimination laws, ensuring that the university does not preference individuals based on race, color, or national origin in admissions, scholarships, hiring, or promotion,” the statement said.

“Northwestern shall maintain clear policies and procedures relating to demonstrations, protests, displays, and other expressive activities, as well as implement mandatory antisemitism training for all students, faculty, and staff.”

The Justice Department said that Northwestern’s president and board chair must each certify under penalty of perjury every quarter that the university is fully complying with the agreement.

“Today’s settlement marks another victory in the Trump Administration’s fight to ensure that American educational institutions protect Jewish students and put merit first,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “Institutions that accept federal funds are obligated to follow civil rights law—we are grateful to Northwestern for negotiating this historic deal.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the agreement as a win for the students at Northwestern.

“The deal cements policy changes that ‘will protect students and other members of the campus from harassment and discrimination,’ and it recommits the school to merit-based hiring and admissions,” she said.

The Justice Department said that the funds, which have been frozen since April, will now be released and made available for research initiatives.

Northwestern President Michael Schill stepped down in September amid the funding impasse, noting a need for “new leadership” to steer “extraordinary challenges,” ranging from campus protests to federal oversight.

Trump’s Executive Orders

President Donald Trump, whose administration has taken actions against numerous universities, issued executive orders in January and February, barring anti-Semitism on campuses as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and some transgenderism-related policies.

The administration took action against Columbia University, freezing grants worth $400 million, alleging failed efforts to curb harassment of Jewish students. The action resulted in a $200 million settlement in July, which also required Columbia to bolster safety measures.

The administration also threatened to withhold $9 billion from Harvard University over allegations of civil rights violations pertaining to anti-Semitism in June. The university’s professors sued the administration, challenging its authority to block funds.

In August, the Justice Department accused George Washington University of allowing anti-Semitism on its campus.

California State University’s 22 campuses also faced investigations over anti-Semitism and racial bias allegations, as reported in September.

A federal judge in November denied the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold $584 million from the University of California–Los Angeles.

In March, the Department of Education sent letters to 60 universities, informing them that they are under investigation for anti-Semitism, not including another 45 additional cases over race-based policies.