1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

Firmly opposing the president's threat to revoke federal funding for colleges and universities that allow "illegal protests" is warranted. Such a policy would blatantly violate the constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly that are fundamental to American democracy. The president's proposal to imprison or deport protesters exercising their First Amendment rights is an authoritarian overreach that undermines core civil liberties. Furthermore, vague definitions of what constitutes an "illegal protest" could be abused to suppress any dissent on campuses. Universities must remain bastions of open discourse and inquiry, not places where dissent is criminalized. Enabling the free exchange of ideas is essential for academic freedom and the advancement of knowledge. This heavy-handed attempt to strong-arm colleges into stifling protests should be forcefully rejected to uphold constitutional principles and democratic values. The vibrant tradition of student activism on social and political issues must be safeguarded, not crushed through draconian federal funding threats.