- Colleges allowing “illegal protests” risk losing federal funding.
- Agitators face imprisonment or deportation; students could be expelled.
- Trump administration reviewing Columbia University’s federal grants.
Trump’s Warning to US Colleges & Universities
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced his administration will cut all federal funding to colleges, schools, and universities that permit “illegal protests.”
Key Points from Trump’s Statement:
Protesters will be imprisoned or deported if they are non-citizens.
American students may be expelled or arrested, depending on the offense.
Wearing masks during protests will not be allowed.
Trump posted on his Truth Social account, warning that no federal funds will go to institutions failing to prevent such demonstrations.
Background & Previous Threats
Trump has previously threatened to cut federal funding for educational institutions over:
- Race and gender teachings.
- Allowing transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
- Enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Latest Crackdown on Columbia University
- The US government is reviewing over $50 million in federal contracts with Columbia University due to allegations of failing to protect Jewish students.
- This follows protests against Israel’s war in Gaza in 2024, which led to intense congressional scrutiny over accusations of anti-Semitism on campus.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon confirmed that a task force was set up last month to address rising anti-Semitism in schools. The task force is now evaluating Columbia’s compliance with federal grant conditions.
What’s Next?
If Trump moves forward with funding cuts, it could impact:
- Research grants, scholarships, and student aid programs in affected universities.
- State-level education policies if the federal government steps back.
- Campus free speech debates, as critics argue the move could stifle student activism.
This decision has sparked intense reactions from student groups, university officials, and civil rights organizations, who see it as a threat to academic freedom and free expression.
Will Trump’s education policies reshape US campuses? The coming months will reveal the impact of these sweeping proposals.
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