Trump signs executive 'free speech' order for U.S. colleges

[webfact]

Trump signs executive 'free speech' order for U.S. colleges

 

U.S. President Donald Trump shows an executive order linking "free speech" efforts at public universities to federal grants during a signing ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order linking "free speech" efforts at public universities to federal grants in an effort to combat what he considers a clamp down on conservative students' abilities to share their views.

 

Under the order, the schools will themselves certify whether they are protecting students' free speech rights, which are already guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

 

The order requires that schools ensure they allow students to express themselves in order to receive funds from 12 federal agencies that help fund universities and colleges.

 

Trump administration officials have suggested that the rights of speakers on college campuses have been trampled by student protesters, and that conservatives have been unfairly targeted.

 

Trump, who regularly decries the media as "fake news" and calls defamation laws "a sham," has threatened retaliatory action related to free speech issues where he says the rights of conservatives are under attack.

 

In signing the order at the White House on Thursday, Trump took the fight to campuses, which receive billions of dollars a year from the federal government, including more than $30 billion (£22.9 billion) for research.

 

"Universities that want tax dollars should protect free speech, not silence free speech," Trump said.

 

But the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) said in a statement that public schools are already committed to free expression and the executive order "does not — and cannot — add to or subtract from our pre-existing obligations under the Constitution."

 

A senior U.S. administration official said schools, not the government, would attest to their compliance with the executive order.

 

Private schools will follow their own policies, and the executive order will not impact student tuition aid programs, the official said.

 

"The goal of the order is to promote free speech more broadly across college campuses," the official told reporters.

 

Trump had announced his planned order earlier this month at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. The event featured activist Hayden Williams, who was punched at the University of California, Berkeley, in February while recruiting students for a conservative group.

 

Last year, the Justice Department filed a statement of interest in a free speech lawsuit filed against the university, accusing it of discriminating against speakers with conservative views. The case was settled in December, when the school agreed to modify its handling of "major events" on campus.

 

Trump's executive order also calls on the Department of Education to make recommendations on financial risk sharing for financial institutions regarding school loans, the official said, but gave no details.

 

The AASCU said federal aid programs should be addressed through current law via Congress, and "not a unilateral order from the White House."

(Reporting by Susan Heavey)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-22

[Chomper Higgot]

More hogwash for his base.

 

The First Amendment protects rights of speech in US Government funded universities.

 

It protects Free Speech from ‘Government’ suppression.

 

Individuals have the right to protest against the speech of others.

 

Just like US private universities and colleges have the right, and practice that right, to restrict the access of speakers spreading hate on their campuses.

 

Trump need only refer to the First Amendment, and those who feel they have had their rights to speak restricted by a government agency or employee need only refer to the courts.

 

A total non issue Trump is playing to CULT45.

 

 

[TopDeadSenter]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

More hogwash for his base.

 

The First Amendment protects rights of speech in US Government funded universities.

 

It protects Free Speech from ‘Government’ suppression.

 

Individuals have the right to protest against the speech of others.

 

Just like US private universities and colleges have the right, and practice that right, to restrict the access of speakers spreading hate on their campuses.

 

Trump need only refer to the First Amendment, and those who feel they have had their rights to speak restricted by a government agency or employee need only refer to the courts.

 

A total non issue Trump is playing to CULT45.

 He is doing this to finally protect the rights of conservative leaning students. There have been way too many violent attacks against students for as little as wearing a red hat. Now it is time for both sides of the debate to be heard, it has been totally one sided for decades now and the country has suffered because of this. Another historic move by Trump, great to see this finally happen. 

 

 

[riclag]

I watched the whole event! Billions of dollars are at issue if academia doesn't adhere to tolerance of alternate views and discourse! One girl said she was "so greatful and that it was a historic day that finally a President recognizes that the first amendment is under attack" !Makes me proud to be a American  

Edited March 21, 2019 by riclag

[Tug]

42 minutes ago, riclag said:

I watched the whole event! Billions of dollars are at issue if academia doesn't adhere to tolerance of alternate views and discourse! One girl said she was "so greatful and that it was a historic day that finally a President recognizes that the first amendment is under attack" !Makes me proud to be a American  

Kinda funny to see this from the people who declare the media the enemy of the people just kinda funney and don’t worry if the white supremacist crowd start spueing to much hate the students will give them a good beat down

[riclag]

That's your opinion,everybody's entitled to them

[DoctorG]

47 minutes ago, Tug said:

Kinda funny to see this from the people who declare the media the enemy of the people just kinda funney and don’t worry if the white supremacist crowd start spueing to much hate the students will give them a good beat down

Thank you for writing about what we all know, namely that leftist students will resort to violence to stop people hearing speakers with whom they disagree.

Funny how the so-called "white supremacist" speakers include jews, gays, and blacks. But of course idiots with moronic mentality think that everyone else is a Nazi.

Edited March 22, 2019 by DoctorG

[Cryingdick]

52 minutes ago, Tug said:

Kinda funny to see this from the people who declare the media the enemy of the people just kinda funney and don’t worry if the white supremacist crowd start spueing to much hate the students will give them a good beat down

 

You should listen to Ted Koppel one of the most respected journalists of this generation about the media and it's role these days.

[welovesundaysatspace]

A pathological liar, who screams fake news all day long and spreads hatred as his preferred opinion, is talking about freedom of speech. What a sad angry man he is. 

[pedro01]

8 minutes ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

A pathological liar, who screams fake news all day long and spreads hatred as his preferred opinion, is talking about freedom of speech. What a sad angry man he is. 

 

Actually - this is a real issue he's addressing.

 

Still - don't let that get in the way of your vitriol and cornflakes.

[riclag]

17 minutes ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

A pathological liar, who screams fake news all day long and spreads hatred as his preferred opinion, is talking about freedom of speech. What a sad angry man he is. 

Did you watch the event ! I seen people of all colors some in tears standing up there, discussing their different circumstances! Aren't you happy for them that they can express their views freely on campus without being harassed and that executive order was for both sides!

Edited March 22, 2019 by riclag

[Cryingdick]

4 minutes ago, riclag said:

Did you watch the event ! I seen people of all colors some in tears standing up there, discussing their different circumstances! Aren't you happy for them that they can express their views freely without being harassed and that executive order was for both sides!

It's hard to reason with an angry mob that gets loonier by the day,

[usviphotography]

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

Just like US private universities and colleges have the right, and practice that right, to restrict the access of speakers spreading hate on their campuses.

 

They have that right, but the government also has the right to deny them Federal Funding if they do. That is what Trump is setting the stage for with this order. Maybe you aren't American and don't realize the extent to which the Federal Government subsidizes "private" universities and colleges in America. Undergraduate students have access to nearly $60,000 in Federal loans and graduate students nearly $140,000. The obscene tuition which these schools charge is utterly dependent upon access to this Federal windfall. The Federal Government has enormous leverage to end the discrimination and censorship that has been going on at these schools.  

[Chomper Higgot]

7 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

It's hard to reason with an angry mob that gets loonier by the day,

It’s even harder to assert they are in breach of the 1st Amendment.

[Cryingdick]

Just now, usviphotography said:

They have that right, but the government also has the right to deny them Federal Funding if they do. That is what Trump is setting the stage for with this order. Maybe you aren't American and don't realize the extent to which the Federal Government subsidizes "private" universities and colleges in America. Undergraduate students have access to nearly $60,000 in Federal loans and graduate students nearly $140,000. The obscene tuition which these schools charge is utterly dependent upon access to this Federal windfall. The Federal Government has enormous leverage to end the discrimination and censorship that has been going on at these schools.  

 

They are also funded by state taxes which used to be subsidized through SALT deductions. They are in big doo doo.

[Cryingdick]

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s even harder to assert they are in breach of the 1st Amendment.

 

Everything is harder to assert when view points are being suppressed that's the entire crux of the issue.

[isaanjohnno]

Just Trump endeavouring to give credibility to his never ending lies

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Everything is harder to assert when view points are being suppressed that's the entire crux of the issue.

What because people peddling race hate want to do so unopposed.

 

The 1st Amendment protects free speech from suppression by government.

 

The Government has no business undermining people’s right to peacefully protest against what others have to say.

 

Laws are already in place to deal with violence.

 

Trump is tossing a bone to CULT45 and Illiberals are chewing on it.

 

 

[longtom]

Kind of ironic coming from a president who just a few days ago tweeted about how SNL and other comedy show's free speech rights should be restricted.

Sent from my SM-J250F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Cryingdick]

17 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

What because people peddling race hate want to do so unopposed.

 

The 1st Amendment protects free speech from suppression by government.

 

The Government has no business undermining people’s right to peacefully protest against what others have to say.

 

Laws are already in place to deal with violence.

 

Trump is tossing a bone to CULT45 and Illiberals are chewing on it.

 

 

You are completely out of touch in regards to what goes on in American universities these days, More over what happens on social media such as Tv where news stories are stomped out that reflect conservatives in a favorable light.

 

Notice how around 50% of all news stories here are rages against Trump? Nothing about AOC diving in polls, dems losing popularity, the insanity of the new green deal.

 

It won't be long before websites are held to the same standards of newspapers if they hold their users to providing factual evidence. Right now this is used against conservative members that give opinions and the left leaning posts are left unless directly reported.

 

You can also notice the amount of attacks of a personal nature that aren't allowed by conservatives on somebody like Hillary. 

 

 

Edited March 22, 2019 by Cryingdick

[Tug]

Just look at all the little haters trying to sow divison for their master 

[Cryingdick]

8 minutes ago, Tug said:

Just look at all the little haters trying to sow divison for their master 

Are you always this hateful? 

Edited March 22, 2019 by Cryingdick

[Nyezhov]

11 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Are you always this hateful? 

Yes they are. Notice the screeching over a simple exec order that mandates adherence to one of the most precious rights of US citizens.

 

The word "hate speech" should be banned. There is no "hate speech". 

 

There is only Speech. 

 

The tide is turning indeed.

[Cryingdick]

15 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Yes they are. Notice the screeching over a simple exec order that mandates adherence to one of the most precious rights of US citizens.

 

The word "hate speech" should be banned. There is no "hate speech". 

 

There is only Speech. 

 

The tide is turning indeed.

 

The liberal voices that shout everybody down are going to be in for a very big surprise when "45" as they call him to dehumanize him wins bigly. They call him 42 and get bent out of shape about pronouns. 

 

It won't even be close. 

 

Edited for a typo.

Edited March 22, 2019 by Cryingdick

[lannarebirth]

2 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

The liberal voices that shout everybody down are going to be in for a very big surprise when "42" as they call him to dehumanize him wins bigly. They call him 42 and get bent out of shape about pronouns. 

 

It won't even be close. 

What's the "42" signify? Poll ratings?

[Catoni]

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

More hogwash for his base.

 

The First Amendment protects rights of speech in US Government funded universities.

 

It protects Free Speech from ‘Government’ suppression.

 

Individuals have the right to protest against the speech of others.

 

Just like US private universities and colleges have the right, and practice that right, to restrict the access of speakers spreading hate on their campuses.

 

Trump need only refer to the First Amendment, and those who feel they have had their rights to speak restricted by a government agency or employee need only refer to the courts.

 

A total non issue Trump is playing to CULT45.

 

 

Maybe Trump is talking about campuses where speakers like Dinesh D’souza and Ben Shapiro and others are shut down by loud hecklers marching on stage and “chanting” loudly and blasting airhorns and ringing cowbells to disrupt and drown out the possibility of having a peaceful talk and discussion with little or no effort made by campus officials and police to try to stop the leftist disrupters. These conservative speakers now have to hire bodyguards.  

    Audiences have the right to listen peacefully to the speakers with no air horns, bells and chanting destroying the evening. 

     I’ve been very tempted to punch those insulting disprespective idiots right in the face. It WILL happen eventually. People are getting fed up. 

    When have Ben Shapiro or Dinesh D’souza spread hate? Cite and references please. 

    Or do you find such asinine behavior by the left to be perfectly acceptable? 

Edited March 22, 2019 by Catoni
Addition

[Cryingdick]

5 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

What's the "42" signify? Poll ratings?

 

Sorry typo 45 which is more bigly than Cortez who now enjoys a 29% favorabilitiy rating according to gallup.

Edited March 22, 2019 by Cryingdick

[Tug]

23 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Are you always this hateful? 

Yup I despise racism hate and divison I defend the USA and what she stands for I love my country for what she is and for and the opportunity she  brings 

[riclag]

6 minutes ago, Catoni said:

Maybe Trump is talking about campuses where speakers like Dinesh D’souza and Ben Shapiro and others are shut down by loud hecklers marching on stage and “chanting” loudly and blasting airhorns and ringing cowbells to disrupt and drown out the possibility of having a peaceful talk and discussion with little or no effort made by campus officials and police to try to stop the leftist disrupters. These conservative speakers now have to hire bodyguards.  

    Or do you find such asinine behavior by the left to be perfectly acceptable? 

Yup ,Ben Shapiro was called a Anti Semite at one of his Q & A during a speech on campus ,then he pointed to his kippah and smiled

[Cryingdick]

7 minutes ago, Tug said:

Yup I despise racism hate and divison I defend the USA and what she stands for I love my country for what she is and for and the opportunity she  brings 

 

You are aware that the whole outrage thing for most moderates isn't an effective tactic?