The recent announcement by US President Donald Trump to cut funding for universities allowing “illegal” protests and to prosecute and deport foreign students participating in such protests has sparked controversy and concern among the academic community.
In a statement on his Truth Social social media platform, Trump threatened to halt all federal funding for schools that permit students to engage in illegal protests. This move comes on the heels of widespread student protests against Israel’s conflict in Gaza that engulfed campuses like Columbia University and UCLA.
Trump’s declaration also included the expulsion of American students involved in these protests, raising questions about what constitutes an “illegal” protest. While the right to protest is protected by the First Amendment, Trump’s stance has faced criticism from organizations like the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (Fire).
Fire denounced Trump’s threat, emphasizing that the President does not have the unilateral authority to revoke federal funds for colleges allowing protests deemed illegal. The group warned that such actions could stifle student activism on contentious issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Additionally, the US Department of Education, along with other agencies, announced a comprehensive review of Columbia University’s federal contracts in light of an investigation into Title VI compliance. This federal law prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity or ancestry, and the review could potentially impact over $5 billion in grant commitments to the university.
Trump’s Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, cited concerns about the safety of Jewish students on campus, pointing to incidents of harassment and anti-Semitic behavior during protests. This led to the signing of an executive order in January targeting foreign students involved in demonstrations, with measures to monitor and potentially remove them from educational institutions.
The order aimed to maintain law and order, address vandalism and intimidation, and combat anti-Jewish racism in universities. Following protests in 2024 that resulted in arrests and disruptions on campuses, the federal task force announced visits to universities with anti-Semitic incidents.
The implications of Trump’s actions on academic freedom, student activism, and international students remain a subject of debate and scrutiny. As universities navigate these challenges, the balance between free speech rights, campus safety, and regulatory compliance will continue to be a key issue in the higher education landscape.
