Donald Trump has announced a ban on what he calls “illegal protests,” warning that schools and universities allowing such demonstrations will lose all federal funding.
Despite his and his party’s claims about protecting free speech, Trump has consistently opposed protests against him.
Using his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump issued a stark warning that students participating in these protests would face expulsion or arrest. He also stated that “agitators” would be permanently deported.
He wrote: “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! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
However, Trump did not define what constitutes an “illegal protest,” leading many to believe that he may be targeting demonstrations critical of him and his policies.
The American Civil Liberties Union emphasizes that “the right to protest and peaceful assembly is essential to democracy and protected by the First Amendment.” Critics have compared Trump’s stance to authoritarian regimes, warning that such measures could be an attempt to suppress dissent. Some have even drawn parallels to North Korea, where criticizing the government can lead to arrest and forced re-education.
