President Trump announced Saturday he intends to sign an executive order mandating colleges and universities take steps to guarantee free speech to attain federal research grants.
“We reject oppressive speech codes, censorship, political correctness and every other attempt by the hard left to stop people from challenging ridiculous and dangerous ideas. These ideas are dangerous,” Trump said. “Instead we believe in free speech, including online and including on campus.”
“Today I’m proud to announce that I will be very soon signing an executive order requiring colleges and universities to support free speech if they want federal research grants.”
The announcement came after he brought Hayden Williams on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Williams is a conservative activist who was punched in the face at the University of California at Berkeley last month while assisting the university’s chapter of the right-wing group Turning Point USA.
Trump threatened that refusing to abide by the executive order would impose a heavy cost on their budgets.
“If they want our dollars, and we give it to them by the billions, they’ve got to allow people like Hayden and many other great young people and old people to speak. Free speech. If they don’t, it will be very costly,” he warned.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill seeking additional guidance on the executive order.
Free speech has emerged as a chief motivator for conservatives in recent years, particularly after several prominent conservative speakers, such as right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, had events canceled at campuses across the country.
“If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view - NO FEDERAL FUNDS?” Trump tweeted in February 2017 after an event with Yiannopoulos was canceled following clashes resulting from his invitation.
Wow. If this keeps up, Trump might require educational institutions to support the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. What is the point of leftists being teachers if they can’t subvert the country they live in?
As far as education goes it’s at the pre-school through 12-level where the real damage is done. Higher Ed is a joke for the most part and has been for years. Only suckers trade debt for useless “credentials” that won’t get them a job.
LOL, no he’s not. Can’t wait to see this piece of shit break this promise like he’s broken all his other ones. What happened to your executive order to end birthright citizenship, Donnie?
I want legislation, not an executive order the next democrat will rescind the day they take office. Let democrats go on the record being against free speech.
Not with this house and spineless GOPers. They couldnt even pass a prolife prop protecting stillborn children surviving the first botched abortion attempt.
Many of them are state run institutions, as such, they must remain content neutral, if they allow anyone to speak at their venues, yes, they are bound by the first amendment not to discriminate on the basis of the content of that speech.
According to the rules that seem to be in effect… if they accept money from the federal government, then the federal government is giving tacit approval for their behavior. So yes.
Not sure about state and local government money. But if a high school football coach cannot pray on the football field, then a college that accepts government money is equally in violation of the rights guaranteed by our constitution.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.“
Being a state run institution means nothing in the context of free speech. Did congress create a law prohibiting free speech on college campuses?
If a high school football coach is going to be considered a part of congress and guilty of establishing a religion when he bows his head, then these are the rules that are in effect. I’d be happy if that were not true. How about you?
Meanwhile, in another thread the Right is being accused of causing a divide in the country. (Two America’s)
Who would have ever thought freedom of speech on a college campus would require a Presidential Executive Order? This is a classic example of why the left so hates Trump.
Maybe I am missing something? Why do we need legislation to protect freedom of speech? Does Federal funding not automatically require adherence to this?
