Trump threatens funding cut to colleges allowing 'illegal protests'

Trump vows to cut college funds over "illegal protests"

Robert Besser
08 Mar 2025, 11:01 GMT+10

Trump threatens funding cut to colleges allowing 'illegal protests'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to cut federal funding for colleges that allow what he calls “illegal protests.”
In a social media post, he also said that protest organizers would be jailed or deported if they were not U.S. citizens, and American students could be expelled or arrested
Trump’s post repeated ideas from executive orders he issued in 2019 and again on January 29

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Former U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to cut federal funding for colleges that allow what he calls "illegal protests."

In a social media post, he also said that protest organizers would be jailed or deported if they were not U.S. citizens, and American students could be expelled or arrested.

Trump's post repeated ideas from executive orders he issued in 2019 and again on January 29. His recent order instructed the Department of Education to investigate colleges that receive federal funds if they fail to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.

Civil rights groups criticized Trump's statement, calling it a threat to free speech. The nonprofit group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said the plan would make students afraid to speak out on political issues. Legal experts also noted that the U.S. Constitution protects free speech and assembly, and the president cannot force colleges to expel students.

Trump has also asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deport international students who take part in protests.

Protests over the Gaza conflict spread across U.S. college campuses last year, with students demanding that their schools cut ties with companies supporting Israel. Some of these protests, as well as counter-protests in support of Israel, led to allegations of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab bias. Protest leaders, including some Jewish students, say they oppose Israel's policies but reject claims that their movement is antisemitic.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Illinois Intelligencer.

More Information

null in null

North America

Section

Stellantis halts Windsor production amid tariff tensions

Stellantis to shut Canada's Windsor plant for two weeks over tariffs

WINDSOR, Ontario: Production at Stellantis' Windsor, Ontario assembly plant will pause for two weeks, as mounting trade tensions trigger...

Update: China, EU vow joint efforts to uphold multilateral trading system

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union vowed to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system with the WTO at...

"Possible after lot of efforts, hard work": Former NIA director on extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana

New Delhi [India], April 10 (ANI): As 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana is set to be extradited to India, former NIA Director...

Trump says could pull US troops out of Europe

The US president wants to include the issue in package deals with American trade partners US President Donald Trump has indicated...

Advocate Narender Mann to act as Special Public Prosecutor in Mumbai terror attack conspiracy case

New Delhi [India], April 10 (ANI): The Central Government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor in...

(SP)U.S.-AUGUSTA-GOLF-2025 MASTERS-PAR 3 CONTEST

(250410) -- AUGUSTA, April 10, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Scottie Scheffler (R) of the United States walks with family members...

International

Section

Trump vows to cut college funds over "illegal protests"

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

North America

Stellantis halts Windsor production amid tariff tensions

Update: China, EU vow joint efforts to uphold multilateral trading system

"Possible after lot of efforts, hard work": Former NIA director on extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana

Trump says could pull US troops out of Europe

Advocate Narender Mann to act as Special Public Prosecutor in Mumbai terror attack conspiracy case

(SP)U.S.-AUGUSTA-GOLF-2025 MASTERS-PAR 3 CONTEST

International

Deadly storms flood Kentucky, pose threat to lives, homes

Ukraine, US resume talks on critical minerals deal

SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin win $13.5 billion in space force contracts

IRS begins major layoffs, civil rights office hit first

Civilians and Hostages Face Starvation and Continuous Bombardment

Georgia Senate passes bill to ban DEI programs in schools and colleges

Movie Review

The Others (4K UHD) [Blu-Ray]