Santa Monica College Faces Antisemitism Claims By Trump Administration

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica College is among 60 institutions nationwide that received a letter from the Trump administration Monday warning that pro-Palestinian campus protests can amount to federally prohibited antisemitism.

In the warning, Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote that the colleges and universities could face penalties under the Civil Rights Act, arguing that pro-Palestinian protests create an antisemitic environment.

“The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year. University leaders must do better,” McMahon said in a statement. “U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal antidiscrimination laws."

The Department of Education opened three investigations concerning allegations of antisemitism recently, Santa Monica College said in a statement.

A Santa Monica College spokeswoman confirmed Monday night it has received McMahon's letter.

"The college responded to Case No. 09-24-2053, on Jan. 8, 2024 with a supplemental response on March 11, 2024; to Case No. 09-24-2248 on July 8, 2024; and to Case No. 09- 24-2438 on Nov. 18, 2024," the statement reads.

"In the college's responses, we outlined in a great detail the college's full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. We have not as yet received any determination from the Office of Civil Rights on any of these investigations," it continues.

"Santa Monica College remains committed to upholding a culture of inclusivity, where open dialog and respectful exchange of ideas can take place. Through professional development, mental and emotional health support for the college community, and other measures, the college has sought to build bridges and ensure students and colleagues are aware of their rights," reads the statement. "SMC stands against antisemitism, just as the college stands against all forms of discrimination and hate."

• Read more: CA Colleges May Face Antisemitism Penalties, Trump Administration Says

McMahon’s letter came two days after a former Columbia University graduate student who helped lead protests at the school was arrested. The Palestinian activist faces possible deportation.

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful U.S. resident, was the first "of many to come," President Donald Trump said Monday, as his administration cracks down on campus demonstrations against Israel and the war in Gaza.

“We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country — never to return again.”

The federal government on Friday announced the immediate cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University due to what the Department of Education called "the school's continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students."

City News Service contributed to this report.