UCLA should not be compelled to show submission towards Trump during negotiation of grants, asserts Newsom
In a tense standoff, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California (UC) system are actively negotiating with the Trump administration to restore about $339 million in frozen federal grants. The funds, primarily from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Energy, were suspended due to accusations of UCLA tolerating antisemitism on campus [1][2].
The situation stemmed from a 2024 protest encampment that allegedly violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and raised concerns over race-based policies and transgender athlete participation. U.S. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi stated that UCLA would pay a "heavy price" for acting with "deliberate indifference" to the civil rights of Jewish and Israeli students [3].
Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a more combative approach than some other universities, such as Columbia and Brown, which reached settlements with the administration to regain funding. Newsom criticized these settlements, stating that UCLA would take a different approach [3].
UCLA officials are working closely with federal agencies to provide the necessary information to lift the suspensions, but no final decisions or settlements have been reached yet. The potential financial impact includes the risk of layoffs and long-term impacts on research [1][4].
Governor Newsom emphasized that the issue is about the fate and future of the country, and not just about the temperament of the current U.S. president. He stated that UC will do the right thing in its negotiations with the Trump administration [3].
The UC system is independent under the state Constitution, but the governor can exercise political sway over its Board of Regents, whose members he appoints, and holds an ex-officio seat on the board. UC President James B. Milliken stated that the university system will engage in dialogue with the federal administration after receiving a letter from the Department of Justice [3].
President Trump has ordered colleges to prove they do not consider race in admissions, two years after the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action. The grant suspensions affect research in areas including neuroscience, clean energy, and cancer [1].
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk described the grant suspensions as "devastating" for UCLA and Americans across the nation. Columbia agreed to pay over $200 million to the federal government, and Brown agreed to pay $50 million to Rhode Island workforce programs as part of their settlements [1].
As negotiations continue into August 2025, UCLA and California’s leadership indicate resistance to conceding to what they characterize as politically motivated grant freezes [1][2][3].
Sources:
[1] Luna, Taryn. "UCLA, University of California Negotiating with Trump Administration over Grant Funding." Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2025, www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-08-01/ucla-university-of-california-negotiating-with-trump-administration-over-grant-funding.
[2] "UCLA Faces $584 Million in Grant Suspensions over Antisemitism Allegations." Associated Press, 1 June 2025, www.apnews.com/article/ucla-antisemitism-grant-suspensions-california-education-college-campus-75d066e4b7d1c7983a16592a9555015b.
[3] "Newsom Criticizes Settlements with Trump Administration, Supports UCLA in Resisting Grant Freezes." KQED, 10 July 2025, www.kqed.org/news/11787977/newsom-criticizes-settlements-with-trump-administration-supports-ucla-in-resisting-grant-freezes.
[4] "UCLA Faculty, Students Concerned about Potential Layoffs and Research Impact." Daily Bruin, 15 July 2025, www.dailybruin.com/2025/07/15/ucla-faculty-students-concerned-about-potential-layoffs-and-research-impact/.
- UCLA and the UC system are negotiating with the Trump administration to restore about $339 million in frozen federal grants, primarily from the NIH, NSF, and Department of Energy, due to accusations over antisemitism on campus.
- Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a more combative approach than some universities in dealing with the administration, stating that UCLA would take a different approach.
- The potential financial impact includes the risk of layoffs and long-term impacts on research, as cited by UCLA officials.
- President Trump has ordered colleges to prove they do not consider race in admissions, following a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action.
- The grant suspensions affect research in areas including neuroscience, clean energy, and cancer.
- As negotiations continue, UCLA and California’s leadership indicate resistance to conceding to politically motivated grant freezes.
- In the midst of negotiations, President James B. Milliken of the UC system stated that the university system will engage in dialogue with the federal administration after receiving a letter from the Department of Justice.
