(Source : Axios) In a fiery social media post on Tuesday, President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against student protesters, threatening to expel, imprison, or deport those involved in what he called “illegal protests” on college campuses. He also vowed to halt all federal funding to schools and universities that permit such demonstrations, sparking widespread controversy and raising questions about the limits of presidential power and free speech protections.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “All federal funding will STOP” for institutions that allow “illegal protests.” He specifically targeted international students, stating that “agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came.” American student protesters, he added, would face expulsion or arrest, “depending on the crime.”
Trump also took aim at protesters wearing masks, writing, “NO MASKS!”—a move critics say could undermine anonymity and safety for demonstrators.
While Trump did not explicitly mention pro-Palestinian protests in his post, his administration has previously targeted students involved in such demonstrations. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order titled “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,” which called for the removal of international students who joined protests and urged universities to monitor and report activities by foreign students and staff.
A Clash with Constitutional Rights
Trump’s threats have ignited a fierce debate over the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and assembly. College campuses have long been hotbeds of protest, particularly during times of political unrest, and legal experts argue that Trump’s proposals could violate constitutional protections
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) notes that while protests can be subject to reasonable “time, place, and manner” restrictions, such limitations must be content-neutral and apply equally regardless of viewpoint. Trump’s post did not identify any specific law or federal authority that would allow him to carry out his threats, leaving many to question the feasibility of his plans.
Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Protests
Trump’s latest remarks come amid a wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses, sparked by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Last spring, protests erupted across the U.S., with students calling for a ceasefire and condemning the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. While some Jewish students reported feeling unsafe, others joined the demonstrations, including at Columbia University, where Jewish students held a Passover Seder alongside ceasefire activists
The Trump administration has taken a hardline stance against these protests. On Monday, officials announced that the Task Force to Combat Antisemitism was considering halting over $51 million in contracts with Columbia University, where student protesters had occupied campus buildings. Additionally, the Department of Education has launched investigations into five universities over reports of “widespread antisemitic harassment.”
Trump’s threats are not new. During his presidency, he frequently criticized student activists and sought to curb dissent on college campuses. His recent executive order and social media posts reflect a continuation of this approach, which critics argue is designed to suppress free speech and intimidate protesters.
What’s Next?
As Trump’s post circulates, universities and advocacy groups are bracing for potential fallout. Legal challenges are expected if any attempts are made to implement his threats, and the debate over free speech on college campuses is likely to intensify
