Newsom vs. Trump: Will California's universities lose federal funding?
Gavin Newsom confronts President Donald Trump over troop deployment during immigration raids.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a potentially consequential showdown with US President
Donald Trump
over a new threat that could deeply impact the state's higher education system.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering slashing federal education grants to California's university systems, particularly targeting the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) networks.
The threat emerges amid ongoing clashes between California and the federal government over contentious issues like immigration policy and transgender rights. According to a report by Politico, the proposed funding cuts are being weighed in response to California's refusal to comply with certain federal mandates, particularly around cooperation with immigration enforcement and gender-related campus policies.
Federal funding as a political weapon
The UC and CSU systems serve more than 770,000 students across the state, with substantial portions of their budgets reliant on federal support. Federal grants fund everything from research initiatives to student financial aid. A sudden withdrawal or reduction could have far-reaching consequences for access, operations, and research competitiveness across the state.
As Politico reported, the Trump administration is weighing this measure as part of a broader effort to penalize California for its defiance on immigration enforcement and its protections for transgender individuals, particularly in school and campus settings.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Ida y vuelta a España desde 589$
Plus Ultra
Compra ahora
Undo
Newsom, in response, has vowed to fight back. According to Politico, he hinted at retaliatory actions, including the possibility of withholding state tax contributions.
Newsom's team also criticized the threat as authoritarian in nature, arguing that the federal government is trying to strong-arm the state into compliance. "We are not going to be intimidated," the governor's spokesperson stated, as reported by Politico.
The administration's response also included legal warnings and hints at court challenges should federal funds be withdrawn on political grounds.
The risk to students and faculty
The UC and CSU systems represent the cornerstone of California's public higher education. If federal grants are cut, financial aid for thousands of low-income students may be disrupted, and ongoing federally funded research projects could be halted.
According to the UC Office of the President, federal funding accounts for nearly $3.9 billion annually, supporting both academic research and student services.
California education officials warn that such a move would disproportionately impact vulnerable students. Faculty groups and education advocates have also begun organizing in defense of university autonomy. "We can't allow our students to be used as pawns in a political game," one faculty representative told Politico.
National implications beyond California
This developing conflict also signals a deeper constitutional battle over the balance of power between states and the federal government. Legal scholars quoted by Politico suggest that if Trump proceeds with the funding cuts, it could set a precedent for future administrations to use education dollars as leverage over state policies.
As tensions mount, all eyes are on California to see how it navigates this high-stakes confrontation — not just for its universities, but for the broader future of public education in the US.
Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Declined Trump's invitation to visit land of Lord Jagannath: PM Modi
During his speech in Bhubaneswar on Friday, PM Narendra Modi revealed he had declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit Washington on his way back from Canada after the G7 summit as visiting the land of Lord Jagannath was more important to him. "Two days back I was in Canada for the G7 summit when US President Trump called me. He said you have come to Canada, go back via Washington. We can have dinner and talk. He gave a sincere invitation. I told the the President, thank you for your invitation. It is very important for me to go to the land of Mahaprabhu. Hence, I politely declined his invitation," Modi said.
Economic Times
34 minutes ago
- Economic Times
A Tale of Yaay! and Hmm: Is India's growth story impressive, or disappointing — or a bit of both?
Purchasing power, stop running away! We're doing fine! India has become the world's 5th-largest economy, eclipsing former economic giants like Britain. In a matter of 1-2 years, it should be the 4th-largest, surpassing Japan. Post-pandemic economic growth is nothing to be scoffed at. India is the world's fastest-growing major economy. Over the past 3 years, a rather turbulent period for the world economy, India's GDP increased at nearly 8% definitely. Yet, is the rising euphoria on India's escalating economic ranking justified? Perhaps. But only after we acknowledge the statistical meaning of being among the world's top-ranked economies. India is the world most populous country. In per-capita terms, we are still ranked as low middle-income. In per-capita nominal GDP, India is 143rd in a ranking of 194 countries. Adjusting for purchasing power parity (PPP), it's at 125th - the rank going up a few notches, but not very much. Humbling, yes. But let's not minimise the importance of being among the top 5 economies in overall GDP. China is 69th in nominal per-capital GDP, and 72nd in PPP per-capita GDP. Yet, its influence on the world stage is not diminished by its per-capita income ranking. China's economic and strategic influence is next to none, other than the US', and sometimes even an example, while most nations have cowed into pleasing Donald Trump and accepted his trade deals, China has decided to fight - and appears to be winning. Many countries are weighing whether they should develop closer alliances with China or the US, and how the others will India's influence will also be measured by its overall ranking in GDP, and not just by its per-capita ranking. Yet, let's keep in view that gap between India and the top two world economies. The US economy is $30 tn in nominal GDP. The Chinese economy is $19 tn. India's is far, far below at $3.9 tn. Humbling, vs expectations: that's the other aspect of India's growth story. In 2018, GoI pledged that India would be a $5 tn economy by 2025. This was a target that many experts viewed with amused scepticism. Of course, progress was halted by the two years of the pandemic. But for those long waiting for the arrival of the $5 tn economy, it's still disappointing to see that we are just halfway towards the 2018-19, India's GDP was $2.8 tn. In 2024-25, it's still $1.1 tn short of the target. Now we hope to achieve that target by of leading sectors - where the world acknowledges India's influence - also brings a mixed tale of optimism and caution. India is the world's largest user of ChatGPT, and, according to a Microsoft, Bain & Company, and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) report, home to 16% of the world's AI talent. Impressive, has the ambition to lead the world in AI and Narendra Modi says, 'AI will remain incomplete without India.' Yet, so far, India doesn't have an indigenous foundational language model, and it's 3-5 years away from developing domestic AI chips. It lags substantially behind other nations in attracting investment in by Stanford University researchers suggest that India received only $1.2 bn in private investment in AI. Of course, the US received the lion's share - $109 bn. But China received 7x than India. A recent article in The Economist asks whether India can be an AI winner. It cautiously concludes that it has a lot to do to lead the most-talked-about achievement on the manufacturing front is that Apple is now assembling 20% of its smartphones sold worldwide in India. By 2026, it is planning to assemble in India all smartphones it will sell in the US. Again, impressive. Yet, the humbling reality is that India is simply assembling the phones, with almost all of their parts being manufactured in China or Southeast Asia. Hopefully, this will change once Foxconn, Apple's top supplier, sets up production facilities in biggest propeller for future economic growth is investment in Rundefined the US 3.5% of its even-larger in sectors where India has emerged as a top global supplier, investment in R&D is pathetic. India often labels itself the 'pharmacy of the world'. Indian pharma supplies 20% of all generic drugs globally, and 40% of generic drugs used in the US. Generic drugs do not need R& the non-generic sector is substantially driven by R&D. According to the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, in pharmaceuticals, China's R&D investment is 16x India's. India imports 70% of its drug ingredients from China. Clearly, in some sense, we are far behind China even in sectors where we have a major global presence. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. How Vedanta's Anil Agarwal bettered Warren Buffett in returns Rivers are moving more goods than before. But why aren't they making a splash yet? Why Infy's Parekh takes home more than TCS' CEO despite being smaller Is India ready to hit the aspirational 8% growth mark? Aadit Palicha on Zepto dark store raid, dark patterns, and IPO Stock Radar: MCX rallies over 50% in just 3 months to hit fresh highs! What should investors do in June – buy or book profits? Metal stocks: Candidates for tactical and contrarian investing? 6 metal stocks with an upside potential of up to 39% Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Israel-Iran News Live Updates: Iran FM says ready to 'consider' diplomacy 'once the aggression is stopped'
US President Donald Trump claimed that the United States had taken "complete and total control of the skies over Iran." He further warned Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei saying that "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" The long-simmering tensions between Israel and Iran have exploded into open warfare since Friday, June 13, 2025, marking an unprecedented period of direct military confrontation. Israel initiated a major campaign of fighter jet and drone strikes across Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites, including surface-to-surface missile production facilities, detection radar sites, and surface-to-air missile launchers. Reports indicate strikes on residential areas and fuel depots, with Iran's health ministry reporting at least 224 fatalities and over 1,200 injuries, mostly civilians. Israeli forces have also reportedly killed several top Iranian military commanders and atomic scientists. The IDF claims to have destroyed one-third of Iran's surface-to-surface missile launchers and achieved "full air superiority over Tehran," also striking an Iranian refueling aircraft 2,300 km away. In retaliation, Tehran has launched barrages of missiles and drones, hitting Israeli cities and towns, causing at least 24 deaths and 592 injuries, with a major oil refinery in Haifa among the targets. The IDF confirmed intercepting over 100 Iranian UAVs. The international community, including China, Turkey, and G7 leaders, has urgently called for de-escalation, but both sides remain defiant. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts the offensive aims to thwart "existential" nuclear and missile threats and has not ruled out targeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, suggesting it would "end the conflict." The UN's IAEA reported physical damage to an above-ground component of Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility but normal external radiation levels, while warning of potential internal contamination. Amidst the crisis, planned nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington were called off.
