"STAND WITH TRUMP OR BE DEPORTED!"

...before you know it, dissent is criminalized. That’s how it starts. That’s how democracy ends.

President Donald J. Trump doesn’t do anything without an agenda, and his latest social media post? Well, it’s not just reckless; it’s downright dangerous. To those of you who might not have seen it; here you go. On March 5th, Donald Trump unleashed a threat aimed directly at the very heart of the First Amendment, the foundation of American democracy. It wasn’t just some offhand remark or another wild rant for his base. This was calculated. This was deliberate. And this could have real, devastating consequences.

In his post, Trump called for halting all federal funding to any college, school, or university that “allows illegal protests.” To make it crystal clear, he went on to say that “agitators” would be imprisoned or, if they’re not from here, sent back to the country they came from. American students, he said, would be “permanently expelled” or, depending on the crime, arrested. Oh, and let’s not forget, “NO MASKS!” That last part? Classic Trump. It’s the kind of inflammatory statement he’s known for; designed to keep his audience whipped up into a frenzy, never mind the consequences.

But let’s break it down, because this isn’t just about protesting. This is about power. Control. It’s about telling people; specifically, students, scholars, and protestors, that their voices don’t matter unless they’re saying what he wants them to say. This is the kind of thinking that leads to authoritarian regimes, where the government decides what is acceptable and what isn’t. And I’m not just throwing around terms like “authoritarian” for hyperbolic effect. What Trump is proposing here is textbook authoritarian behavior.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution isn’t just some nice idea we pay lip service to in civics class. It’s a fundamental right; a pillar of what makes this country what it is. Under the First Amendment, American citizens have the right to free speech, the right to assemble, and the right to protest. No exceptions. But Trump? He wants to rewrite that entire narrative. He’s implying that any protest he deems "illegal"; again, with no clear definition of what that even means, should be crushed by the full weight of the federal government.

As Trump so often does, he pushes every boundary to its limit. For years I have been warning everyone that this will happen, again. In a chilling display of authoritarian overreach, remember when Donald Trump not only allowed but seemingly ordered the unconstitutional remand of me back to prison after I refused to waive my First Amendment right and refrain from publishing my book Disloyal. Trump, in his relentless desire to silence any criticism, deemed the book "critical" of him, and the legal repercussions were swift and unjust. As Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein stated in his order, this was "retaliation for the exercise of the First Amendment." His words underscore the unprecedented nature of Trump's actions, which were an outright assault on free speech. By imprisoning me for simply telling the truth, Trump made it clear that dissent; whether in the form of writing or protest, would not be tolerated. This was not justice; it was a blatant attempt to squash any opposition, and it served as a dangerous warning to anyone brave enough , or stupid enough, to speak out against him.

It’s worth noting that Trump’s language around "illegal protests" is vague and intentionally so. It opens the door to broad interpretation. Is it a protest that gets a little too loud for his liking? Is it a protest that disrupts his precious golf course plans? Who decides what constitutes an illegal protest? How do we define it? What’s “illegal” in his eyes could very well be “protected” under the Constitution. At least he believes so!

The fact is, Trump is essentially giving himself the authority to determine what’s acceptable speech in this country. And if you think it stops at college campuses, you're dead wrong. The truth is, once you let a leader dictate what people can and cannot say, there’s nothing stopping him/her from taking it further. This kind of thinking doesn't just limit protests; it limits discourse, discussion, and everything that makes democracy work.

Here’s where it gets even messier. Trump's post doesn’t say who gets to decide what’s "illegal" or who gets punished. Is it his government? Is it local law enforcement? Is it university administrators? When the leader of the free world proposes blanket punishment for something as simple as raising your voice against injustice, who determines whether someone is an “agitator” or a peaceful protestor?

So, let me break it down for you. If you’re a student protesting a corporate polluter on your campus, or marching in favor of racial justice, and you get branded as an "agitator," what then? The consequences Trump lays out are terrifying: deportation for foreign nationals, imprisonment, and/or permanent expulsion for American students. And what kind of crimes is he talking about here? Will the penalty fit the protest? Or will it be a knee-jerk reaction, simply because the protest didn’t align with his views?

Think about this for a second: the same government that trumpets “law and order” is the same government that could turn a blind eye when it comes to holding the powerful accountable. But when it’s an average citizen or even a student standing up for what they believe in? That’s when the government comes down with both fists. No, in this case, a sledge hammer!

But what’s even more alarming here is the lack of understanding, or perhaps just a deliberate ignoring, of the limits of presidential power. As much as Trump might want to think he’s the supreme authority on all matters, the Constitution doesn’t grant him the power to dictate university policies or punish students who express their views. Let’s be clear: the president of the United States doesn’t have the authority to yank funding from institutions because they let students protest. He simply doesn’t. And yet, there he is; throwing out these threats as if they mean something.

To be fair, presidents can influence policy through agencies like the Department of Education, but this kind of sweeping, unilateral action? That’s not only unconstitutional, it’s plain wrong. Trump wants to force educational institutions into a corner, using the most basic of all weapons; money. And while there’s no question that he knows how to get attention with a viral post, the real danger is in how it undermines the system of checks and balances. You think he’s going to stop at universities? You think this kind of bullying is just going to be confined to a few schools? No. He’s testing the waters, pushing to see how far he can go with the power of the federal government.

Now, let’s get real for a moment. This isn’t just about one post. This is about a dangerous, authoritarian mindset that has no place in a democratic society. History is full of leaders who started by silencing opposition, saying, "If you don’t like it, you’re out." Once that kind of thinking takes root, it spreads. It’s how regimes gain power and control. And whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or independent, it should terrify you that this is the direction Trump is pushing for. If we start down this road, where does it end?

The erosion of free speech doesn’t come all at once. It doesn’t hit you over the head with a bat. It starts with little things, like saying “illegal protestors” should be punished with deportation or imprisonment. Next, it’s the media. Then it’s companies that don’t align with the administration’s interests. And before you know it, dissent is criminalized. That’s how it starts. That’s how democracy ends.

Make no mistake, this is about more than just protests. This is about whether we as a society will stand up for the right to speak freely, to challenge the status quo, and to fight for what’s right. The more we let a leader like Trump erode those rights, the more we let him define what’s acceptable, the less power we have as individuals.

If you’re looking for a reason to be concerned, this post should be it. Not just for those who disagree with Trump, but for every American who values their freedom. This isn’t just a call to action for those who oppose Trump: it’s a wake-up call for all of us to protect the rights that make America what it is.

You’ve been warned, AGAIN. Now it’s time to decide if you’ll let it slide, or if you’ll stand up and fight for what’s right.

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