Trump Targets College Protests, Threatens Funding Cuts

Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that federal funding would be cut off from colleges and universities permitting 'illegal protests,' specifically targeting pro-Palestine activism in light of the recent Israel-Gaza conflict. He threatened severe consequences for participants, including imprisonment, permanent expulsion for American students, and deportation for international students. Critics argue that Trump's vague definition of 'illegal protests' raises concerns about the suppression of free speech and could lead to further infringements on student rights. Multiple voices, including academics and activists, have condemned these threats as unconstitutional and a form of authoritarianism, emphasizing that the measures disproportionately target dissent against U.S. support for Israel. Trump's administration has come under scrutiny for potentially using accusations of antisemitism to stifle political opposition and dissent on campuses. Pro-Israel supporters, however, defend the measures as necessary to combat antisemitism and maintain order on campuses.