**Trump Vows to Cut Funding, Deport Students for “Illegal Demonstrations”**
US President Donald Trump has announced that he will cut funding to universities that allow what he calls “illegal demonstrations”. He also vowed to prosecute or deport foreign students involved in such protests.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform. He said that all federal funds will be stopped at schools that allow students to protest illegally. This move comes after a year of massive student protests against Israel’s Gaza war, which took place on several US college campuses, including Columbia University and UCLA.
**Constitutional Concerns**
However, Trump did not specify what an “illegal” demonstration is. The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects the right to protest in general. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (Fire) condemned Trump’s statement, saying that colleges can respond to illegal conduct but the President does not have the authority to revoke funds.
**Investigation into Columbia University**
The US Department of Education and General Services Administration announced an investigation into Columbia University’s federal contracts. The education department is considering stop work orders on $51.4m in contracts with the university and will review over $5bn of grant commitments.
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