Trump labels student protests 'illegal,' warns of jail time for participants
President Trump takes aim at student activism, as he threatens to pull funding from universities over protests.
On Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump sparked controversy after threatening to halt federal funding for colleges and universities that allow “illegal protests.” In a post on his page of Truth Social, Trump also vowed to imprison “agitators” and expel or arrest American students involved in such demonstrations.
His statement, which did not clarify what constitutes an “illegal” protest, has drawn criticism from free expression advocates who argue it undermines the First Amendment. Trump did not specifically mention pro-Palestinian protesters on Tuesday. However, he has previously said his administration will deport student “aliens” who joined “pro-jihadist” demonstrations and revoke visas for “Hamas sympathizers.”
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What did Trump say about students who protest?
“All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests,” Trump wrote. “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!” could be read on the President's statement.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) quickly rejected Trump’s remarks, stating, “The First Amendment protects controversial political speech; we don’t use the law to punish dissenters.” The group warned that the threat would have a negative impact on student activism, particularly around polarizing issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Columbia University targeted, Trump pulls fundings
Trump’s threat comes just one day after his administration announced a review of over $50 million in federal contracts with Columbia University, citing the school’s “ongoing inaction” in addressing harassment of Jewish students.
Columbia has been a focal point of protests since last spring, when students organized sit-ins, encampments, and building occupations to demand an end to U.S. support for Israel and divestment from companies tied to the country. Over 100 students were arrested, and the university’s president, Minouche Shafik, resigned in the fallout.
The administration also plans to review $5 billion in federal grants to Columbia to ensure compliance with civil rights regulations. Critics argue that such actions conflate legitimate protests with antisemitism, while supporters claim they are necessary to protect Jewish students and uphold order on campuses.