Trump vows to stop funding for schools that allow illegal protests

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - President Donald Trump says he will stop federal funding for schools that allow what he calls illegal protests.

The President is also calling for penalties, including expulsion or arrests for students and deportation for foreign participants in the demonstrations.

He posted this message on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday morning.

"All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or depending on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

President Donald J. Trump via Truth Social

Local students reacting to the message.

“History has shown that students should be allowed to petition their government and peaceful protest.”

David Diaz, student

“We should have the right to speak, especially for the first amendment.”

Sandra Benavides, student

Legal experts say such actions from the president are unlikely and would be unconstitutional.

“There are steps, hearing that Congress would need to go through and other considerations before you just cut off funding. He doesn’t have the absolute authority. The question really is, by saying these things, is he in fact having an adverse effect on people’s sense of freedom.”

Walter Clark, attorney

College of the Desert tells News Channel 3 as an open campus, students are allowed to protest peacefully. It also actively collaborates with the California Community Colleges Chancellor to protect students.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.