A report stated that investigators from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) interviewed former interim President Katrina Armstrong of Columbia University regarding instances of antisemitism on campus.
On April 1, Armstrong was interviewed by HHS investigators in a closed-door deposition after her resignation on March 28. Following her resignation, Armstrong also announced a temporary leave from her role as the chief executive officer at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
During the deposition, Armstrong mentioned that she was unaware of reports of Jewish students being spat on and claimed not to know the identities of several faculty members who were accused of distributing pro-Hamas material in support of the October 7, 2023, incident.
Armstrong also said she didn’t know students at Columbia University were calling for Israel’s destruction.
Student protesters gather in their encampment on the Columbia University campus, April 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
Columbia University’s former interim president said several times during the deposition that portions of the past year are a “blur” and said she had issues remembering specific details.
Columbia University’s board of trustees attempted to separate itself from Armstrong’s testimony to HHS officials in a statement.
“Columbia University is firmly committed to resolving the issues raised by our federal regulators with respect to discrimination, harassment, and antisemitism,” the board said. “This testimony does not reflect the hard work undertaken by the University to combat antisemitism, harassment, and discrimination and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community.”
President Donald Trump speaks at the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner in Washington, D.C., April 8, 2025. (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
Armstrong’s testimony to HHS comes after the Trump administration in March moved to pull back over $400 million in funding to the institution. Negotiations on restoring the funding began after the university agreed to several demands, such as revamping its protest policies.
Fox News Digital reached out to HHS and Columbia University for comment.
Fox News’ Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
