Audio By Carbonatix
A U.S. judge on Tuesday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to restore a part of the federal grant funding that it recently suspended for the University of California, Los Angeles.
U.S. District Judge Rita Lin in San Francisco ruled, opens new tab that the grant funding suspensions violated an earlier June preliminary injunction where she ordered the National Science Foundation to restore dozens of grants that it had terminated at the University of California.
The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here.
That order had blocked the agency from cancelling other grants at the University of California system, of which UCLA is a part.
"NSF's actions violate the Preliminary Injunction," Lin, an appointee of Democratic former President Joe Biden, wrote. The White House and the university had no immediate comment on the ruling.
UCLA said last week the government froze $584 million in funding. Trump has threatened to cut federal funds for universities over pro-Palestinian student protests against U.S. ally Israel's military assault on Gaza.
It was not immediately clear how much of the frozen funding was the judge ordering to be restored.
The University of California said last week it was reviewing a settlement offer by the Trump administration for UCLA in which the university will pay $1 billion. It said such a large payment would "devastate" the institution.
The government alleges that universities, including UCLA, allowed antisemitism during the protests.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly equates their criticism of Israel's war in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.
Experts have raised free speech and academic freedom concerns over the Republican president's threats. Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom called the Trump administration's settlement offer a form of extortion.
Large demonstrations took place at UCLA last year. Last month, UCLA agreed to pay over $6 million to settle a lawsuit alleging antisemitism. It was also sued this year over a 2024 violent mob attack on pro-Palestinian protesters.
Rights advocates note a rise in antisemitism, anti-Arab bias and Islamophobia due to conflict in the Middle East. The Trump administration has not announced equivalent probes into Islamophobia.
The government has settled its probes with Columbia University, which agreed to pay over $220 million, and Brown University, which said it will pay $50 million. Both accepted certain government demands. Settlement talks with Harvard University are ongoing.
Latest Stories
-
GEXIM@10: Experts discuss AfCFTA and strategies for export growth
35 seconds -
NPP must aim for decisive 2028 parliamentary Majority — Minority Leader
29 minutes -
Ghana not afraid of Germany like a few years ago – Kurt Okraku
34 minutes -
UNESCO-Ghana, Manhyia Palace Museum seal partnership as 2026 Otumfuo Art Awards launched
58 minutes -
Ibrahim Mahama faces Police board as assault probe continues
1 hour -
UK–Ghana study tour strengthens partnership on roads and future transport systems
1 hour -
Renting out your Accra apartment: Should you short-let or long-let in 2026?
1 hour -
Government communication alone won’t fix tomato shortage – Dr Charles Nyaaba
1 hour -
Ghanaian community in Switzerland champions inclusive governance at Diaspora Dialogue Series
2 hours -
UN slavery resolution isn’t binding, but revives calls for reparations – Prof Appiagyei-Atua
2 hours -
Ablakwa expresses deep gratitude to UN member states for backing Ghana’s slavery resolution
2 hours -
Gender Minister engages management, introduces new Chief Director at MoGCSP
2 hours -
Last Gallop: The rise, fall and fight for Horse Racing in Ghana
2 hours -
Communications Minister launches Ghana Climate Atlas to strengthen planning and climate resilience
2 hours -
Maintain credibility, reduce commentary — NDC elections director advises Mussa Dankwah
2 hours
