Former US President Donald Trump has declared that federal funding will be halted for universities that permit what he calls “illegal” protests and vowed to deport foreign students who participate.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump did not define what would constitute an illegal protest but asserted that American students involved would also face expulsion. His statement follows last year’s widespread student demonstrations against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which erupted across campuses like Columbia University and UCLA.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) swiftly criticized Trump’s stance, arguing that he lacks unilateral authority to cut federal funds and warning that such actions could stifle student activism.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has announced a federal review of Columbia University’s $5 billion in grants and $51.4 million in contracts, citing concerns under Title VI, which prohibits ethnic and ancestral discrimination.

Trump’s Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, defended the move, stating that Jewish students have faced harassment and that unlawful protests have disrupted academic operations. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order enabling the removal of foreign students involved in demonstrations.

A federal task force is now investigating 10 universities for alleged anti-Semitic incidents, underscoring heightened tensions over campus protests.