Trump Administration Announces Steps To Crack Down on Protests Critical of Israel
Trump administration officials have announced measures to suppress protests on college campuses that are critical of Israel, steps that have chilling implications for First Amendment rights.
President Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would cut federal funding to colleges that allow “illegal protests,” a reference to the student-led pro-Palestine demonstrations that have spread across the country in response to Israel’s bombing campaign and siege on Gaza. The president also threatened that “agitators” would be imprisoned or deported if they were foreign students.
“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 the crime, arrested. NO MASKS!” the president said.
Elise Stefanik, Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to the UN, celebrated Trump’s announcement and acknowledged that the purpose of the order is to target protests against Israel.
Under President @realDonaldTrump, colleges and universities will be held accountable. Antisemitism and anti-Israel hate will not be tolerated on American campuses. Promises made, promises kept. @POTUS @realDonaldTrump @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/h9nq1gVJRO
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) March 4, 2025
