Trump Administration Reportedly Suppresses Free Speech on US Campuses

Students at Diablo Valley College and the University of Texas at Austin are expressing growing concerns about free speech violations under President Donald Trump's administration. At DVC, students feel unsafe speaking out against Trump due to new laws like the one-year jail sentence for flag burning, which contradicts previous Supreme Court protections. Meanwhile, the Trump administration faces a lawsuit for allegedly using immigration laws to deport international students who criticize U.S. foreign policy, a move condemned by the ACLU and supported by an amicus brief signed by 44 student newspapers nationwide, highlighting a chilling effect on student journalism. At UT Austin, administrators blocked student resolutions opposing state laws limiting diversity initiatives and faculty governance, citing institutional neutrality policies, while students protested a Trump administration Higher Education Compact that could restrict race-conscious admissions, cap international enrollment, and impose political neutrality on campuses. These developments underscore a broader national debate about academic freedom and political expression in higher education under the current administration.