From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Trump vows to freeze funding for schools that host ‘illegal protests’
US President Donald Trump says he will cut federal funding to any educational institution “that allows illegal protests,” in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump does not specify what an “illegal protest” entails, but appears to be referring to anti-Israel demonstrations that broke out on US university campuses following the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
“All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came,” he says. He had made similar threats regarding pro-Palestinian protesters while on the campaign trail.
Trump adds that students who have US citizenship will be expelled or possibly arrested, signing off the post with “NO MASKS! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on on the crime, arrested. NO…
— Trump Posts on ???? (@trump_repost) March 4, 2025
It’s not clear if any such move by Trump would survive a First Amendment challenge. Courts have repeatedly upheld the right to protest, even in support of deplorable causes, and schools that clamp down on protected speech in line with Trump’s threat could face hefty penalties for doing so.
Trump and others in his circle have repeatedly touted themselves as defenders of free speech.
The Times of Israel Community.