1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's crackdown on universities and students expressing pro-Palestinian views is a flagrant violation of free speech protections guaranteed by the First Amendment. Arresting Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student and green card holder, simply for his political activism sets a dangerous precedent that threatens core American values of free expression. Revoking $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University as punishment for allowing protests is a deplorable misuse of executive power to suppress dissenting voices on campus. This assault on academic freedom undermines the fundamental role of universities as marketplaces of ideas where diverse perspectives can be voiced and debated freely. Wielding government force to silence criticism and stamp out viewpoints the president disagrees with is the hallmark of authoritarian regimes, not free democracies. Compiling lists of students to deport based on their political beliefs is a chilling step toward transforming America into the type of police state the nation has historically stood against. Institutions of higher learning must maintain their independence to foster open discourse without fear of reprisal from the government. Mahmoud Khalil should be released immediately, the administration's attack on free speech should be publicly condemned, and the punitive withholding of funds from universities promoting vigorous debate must cease. Preserving America's cherished liberties requires standing firm against any attempts to stifle free expression and academic freedom.