Tanya Mosley

At the heart of Trump's effort is a plan to consolidate what he describes as waste within the government, vowing to cut federal funding for schools and colleges that promote, quote, Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education also sent letters to 60 colleges and universities.

It says are under investigation for violations relating to alleged anti-Semitic harassment against Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests on campuses nationwide. Joining us to talk about all of this is Laura Meckler, a national education writer for The Washington Post, who covers news, politics, and the people shaping American schools.

It says are under investigation for violations relating to alleged anti-Semitic harassment against Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests on campuses nationwide. Joining us to talk about all of this is Laura Meckler, a national education writer for The Washington Post, who covers news, politics, and the people shaping American schools.

It says are under investigation for violations relating to alleged anti-Semitic harassment against Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests on campuses nationwide. Joining us to talk about all of this is Laura Meckler, a national education writer for The Washington Post, who covers news, politics, and the people shaping American schools.

Her book, Dreamtown, Shaker Heights, and the Quest for Racial Equity, is an examination of the ideals and realities of racial integration in her hometown of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Our conversation was recorded yesterday. Laura Meckler, welcome to Fresh Air.

Her book, Dreamtown, Shaker Heights, and the Quest for Racial Equity, is an examination of the ideals and realities of racial integration in her hometown of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Our conversation was recorded yesterday. Laura Meckler, welcome to Fresh Air.

Her book, Dreamtown, Shaker Heights, and the Quest for Racial Equity, is an examination of the ideals and realities of racial integration in her hometown of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Our conversation was recorded yesterday. Laura Meckler, welcome to Fresh Air.

Let's start with the backstory behind the letter that was sent this week to the 60 colleges by the Department of Education for alleged violations relating to anti-Semitic harassment. Remind us of what this stems from.

Let's start with the backstory behind the letter that was sent this week to the 60 colleges by the Department of Education for alleged violations relating to anti-Semitic harassment. Remind us of what this stems from.

Let's start with the backstory behind the letter that was sent this week to the 60 colleges by the Department of Education for alleged violations relating to anti-Semitic harassment. Remind us of what this stems from.

You've actually been reporting on how the Trump administration pulled last week. It's $400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University. And just to remind people, Columbia was sort of the epicenter of the protests last spring. Can you tell us more about the accusations that happened there on that campus as well as the cuts to funding?

You've actually been reporting on how the Trump administration pulled last week. It's $400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University. And just to remind people, Columbia was sort of the epicenter of the protests last spring. Can you tell us more about the accusations that happened there on that campus as well as the cuts to funding?

You've actually been reporting on how the Trump administration pulled last week. It's $400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University. And just to remind people, Columbia was sort of the epicenter of the protests last spring. Can you tell us more about the accusations that happened there on that campus as well as the cuts to funding?

I mean, $400 million sounds like an incredibly large amount and what that actually impacts.

I mean, $400 million sounds like an incredibly large amount and what that actually impacts.

I mean, $400 million sounds like an incredibly large amount and what that actually impacts.

Right, because 60 other universities received a letter just on Monday. I would assume there probably is fear around funding cuts for those universities as well.

Right, because 60 other universities received a letter just on Monday. I would assume there probably is fear around funding cuts for those universities as well.

Right, because 60 other universities received a letter just on Monday. I would assume there probably is fear around funding cuts for those universities as well.

So the Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Ed sent that letter to the colleges and universities. And that office, which under a larger proposal to dismantle the education department, would fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice. Can you share the latest of what we know about this draft executive order to dismantle the department that has been circulating?