Trump’s Power Move: Banning Masks to End Campus Chaos

[Social Media]

 

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President Trump is right: “NO MASKS!”

 

That was his emphatic closing statement in a recent Truth Social post where he warned that colleges and universities permitting “illegal protests” could lose federal funding. His main concern? The wave of antisemitic demonstrations that have roiled campuses for nearly 18 months.

 

Following the latest round of pro-Hamas protests, Columbia University alumni have urged the school to adopt an official mask ban. But Trump himself has the authority to put a stop to masked rioters on campuses through an executive order—just as various states once took action against the Ku Klux Klan’s hooded marches.

 

The federal government already has the power to require colleges and universities to take steps that protect students’ physical safety and civil rights. And the case against masking is both strong and constitutional.

 

While the First Amendment guarantees free speech, it does not protect individuals who join violent mobs, intimidate others, and create public disorder. Yet that is exactly what masked protesters have done at universities across the country, using their anonymity to evade identification by law enforcement and school officials while spreading hatred toward Israel and Jewish students.

 

 

Since October 7, 2023, these masked demonstrators have committed numerous acts of vandalism and intimidation. At Barnard College in February, they defaced buildings, while last May, masked agitators caused $3 million in damage at City College. At Columbia University, they occupied buildings and even held university personnel hostage. Jewish students have been physically blocked from attending class at UCLA and outright attacked at DePaul University and other schools.

 

The rise of masked protests coincides with an alarming surge in antisemitism, which increased nearly fourfold in the U.S. last year. These are not just student demonstrations; they are criminal acts. But there is a historical precedent that points to a solution.

 

Like today’s masked agitators, members of the Ku Klux Klan hid their identities behind hoods to terrorize Black citizens, Catholics, and other minorities while avoiding consequences. They sought to spread fear without accountability.

 

State governments responded by enacting anti-masking laws, stripping the KKK of its anonymity and making it easier to prosecute members. By the mid-1950s, the Klan had largely collapsed, unable to hide behind its disguises.

 

This legal approach was so effective that states across the political spectrum—including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Virginia—have had anti-masking laws in place for decades. New York was the first to enact such a law in 1845, but it was repealed during the COVID pandemic. Now, a bill to reinstate it is under consideration.

 

Over the past year, I have worked with multiple states to introduce or strengthen anti-masking laws to enhance public safety and protect students. But this must now be addressed on a national level. The president should issue an executive order directing his administration to act immediately.

 

First, Education Secretary Linda McMahon should require all federally funded colleges and universities to adopt anti-masking policies to prevent harassment and intimidation. Clear guidelines should be set, referencing existing state laws to prevent universities from exploiting loopholes.

 

Additionally, institutions should be required to address civil rights complaints stemming from masked protests that disrupt educational environments.

 

Second, McMahon should issue an anti-masking regulation under the Clery Act, which mandates that schools participating in federal student loan programs disclose crime statistics. Universities are already required to submit policies encouraging the prompt and accurate reporting of crimes. But accurate reporting is impossible when masked mobs are destroying property and threatening students. The Clery Act can and should be used to prohibit masks on campus.

 

Finally, Attorney General Pam Bondi should make federal grants under the STOP School Violence Act contingent on the adoption of anti-masking policies. The Justice Department should not be funding campus security forces if university administrators refuse to stand up against Klan-style intimidation tactics.

 

These measures are fully within legal authority and are morally essential to curbing the rise of antisemitic violence on college campuses. The sooner President Trump enforces his call for “NO MASKS,” the better.

 

Based on a report by NYP  2025-03-20

 

Related Topics:

Democrats Face Backlash for Supporting Arrested Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil

Federal Education Department Investigates 60 Universities Over Antisemitism Allegations

Trump’s Bold Stand Against Campus Antisemitism Sends a Clear Message

Trump Border Czar: ICE Will ‘Absolutely’ Deport Legal Immigrants

Trump Threatens to Cut Federal Funding Over Campus Protests

U.S. State Dept to Use AI to Revoke Visas of Foreign Students with Alleged Ties to Hamas

 

 

[kingstonkid]

The beauty of masks is the same as the beauty of Chat sites,  No One knows who you are to you are free to do was you please and say what you want no mater how outrageous.

 

The other thing is tht we have these organizations and because we do not know their face the police can not arrest or detainpeople that do in fact break the law.

 

It would be interesting to know how many of these protestors are protestors and how many are either paid or unpaid antagonists that just want to destroy things, steal and raise hell.

 

Imagine the hell that would happen here if all the protest leaders hid their faces stopping police form kow who they are.  

[spidermike007]

It is of extreme importance to differentiate between people protesting against Israel's approach to this war in Gaza, and antisemitism. They are two completely different things, however Israel is an extremely thin skinned nation, and very intolerant of any sort of criticism. As a Jew I know that many Jews are thin-skinned when it comes to any sort of criticism of Israel, and it's often interpreted as being anti-semitic. I've been called a Jew hater for criticizing Israeli policy so I know how sensitive the issue can be, and it's very important to interpret it correctly. Jews and all people have the right to be critical of Israeli policy, especially now that the extremists have taken over gotten the support of a hateful PM, and are engaging in what could be called a ridiculously disproportionate campaign against the Gazans. 

 

Israel must be very careful at this point as they are losing support around the world, by the day it's gotten to the point where there are very few nations who are still supportive of Israel, and the IDF, and even the US is considering withdrawing some support. That would put them in dire straits, and very isolated. But, they deserve that, in my opinion.

 

This move by Trump is not surprising since he's an avid supporter of the extremists in Israel, and he's very much against the concept of dark-skinned people having any level of power, including the Palestinian people. 

 

[Bkk Brian]

10 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

It is of extreme importance to differentiate between people protesting against Israel's approach to this war in Gaza, and antisemitism. They are two completely different things, however Israel is an extremely thin skinned nation, and very intolerant of any sort of criticism. As a Jew I know that many Jews are thin-skinned when it comes to any sort of criticism of Israel, and it's often interpreted as being anti-semitic. I've been called a Jew hater for criticizing Israeli policy so I know how sensitive the issue can be, and it's very important to interpret it correctly. Jews and all people have the right to be critical of Israeli policy, especially now that the extremists have taken over gotten the support of a hateful PM, and are engaging in what could be called a ridiculously disproportionate campaign against the Gazans. 

 

Israel must be very careful at this point as they are losing support around the world, by the day it's gotten to the point where there are very few nations who are still supportive of Israel, and the IDF, and even the US is considering withdrawing some support. That would put them in dire straits, and very isolated. But, they deserve that, in my opinion.

 

This move by Trump is not surprising since he's an avid supporter of the extremists in Israel, and he's very much against the concept of dark-skinned people having any level of power, including the Palestinian people. 

 

Its also very important not dismiss what are genuine criminal acts for a load of unconnected waffle by apologists

 

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

These are not just student demonstrations; they are criminal acts.

 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

and are engaging in what could be called a ridiculously disproportionate campaign against the Gazans. 

 

 

 

Release all the remains hostages now; something you seem to have conveniently forgotten about.

 

 

[renaissanc]

Any day now one of the many Democrat-Marxist activist judges will try to ban any prohibition about masks when they are banned, and the media lackies will support the judge ... just like they are supporting the activist judge that is demanding that the TDA thugs are kept in America and ultimately let loose.

[connda]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

That was his emphatic closing statement in a recent Truth Social post where he warned that colleges and universities permitting “illegal protests” could lose federal funding.

The Trump Administration is pushing the US toward a Constitutional showdown in the SCOTUS over First Amendment protections and the right of Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Speech, and very possibly even Freedom of Religion.  As much as I believe that this administration is on the right path on a number of issues, there are others - like this - that cause me concern.

I fully expect a number of these so-called "illegal protests" on campuses as well as deportations of green card holders to end up in front of the Supreme Court.  As a First Amendment absolutist, I may not agree with the protests, but I support "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Whether Left or Right, no matter what the excuses are to attempt to infringe on the First Amendment protections, whether woke activists or MAGA nationalists - the First Amendment is sacrosanct and Inviolable. 

However, I'm not particularly sure how masking for anonymity can be protected under the Constitution, nor do I support masking in order to conceal one's identity while protesting.  I've been in protests during the Vietnam War and even with feds on the roofs taking pictures, we'd just smile and shoot them a Peace Sign.  ☮️ 🕊️✌️

For those who failed to take Civics in school or who are not US Citizens:

Amendment I
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.

[Colki]

I totally agree with no mask ruling and was interested to see all the steps that could be taken to enforce this in regard to any demonstration.

How does this exist in relation to those who cover there face due to religious restraints. Would they be banned from attending all and any demonstrations or would this overrule any mask ban.

A similar situation to this is where Seikhs do not need to wear crash helmets or remove headdress when going through airport security. To those who say you can clear headdress by metal detection wands you cannot as they use large metal pins to support hair under headdress. 

[wwest5829]

36 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Its also very important not dismiss what are genuine criminal acts for a load of unconnected waffle by apologists

 

 

Agree that is important to differentiate between criminal acts … I certainly had that brought into foucs on Jan. 6, 2021 at the US Capitol. Just sayin … I agree.

[WDSmart]

Although I think anyone exercising their First Amendment right to Free Speech should not be hesitant to reveal their identity, until the courts are clearer on what issues are covered under Free Speech (like anti-Isreal), I think this "No Mask" rule/law suggested above is uncalled for.

[Bkk Brian]

16 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Agree that is important to differentiate between criminal acts … I certainly had that brought into foucs on Jan. 6, 2021 at the US Capitol. Just sayin … I agree.

Good for you. Pretty sure there are previous topics on that deflection

[Bkk Brian]

24 minutes ago, connda said:

The Trump Administration is pushing the US toward a Constitutional showdown in the SCOTUS over First Amendment protections and the right of Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Speech, and very possibly even Freedom of Religion.  As much as I believe that this administration is on the right path on a number of issues, there are others - like this - that cause me concern.

I fully expect a number of these so-called "illegal protests" on campuses as well as deportations of green card holders to end up in front of the Supreme Court.  As a First Amendment absolutist, I may not agree with the protests, but I support "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Whether Left or Right, no matter what the excuses are to attempt to infringe on the First Amendment protections, whether woke activists or MAGA nationalists - the First Amendment is sacrosanct and Inviolable. 

However, I'm not particularly sure how masking for anonymity can be protected under the Constitution, nor do I support masking in order to conceal one's identity while protesting.  I've been in protests during the Vietnam War and even with feds on the roofs taking pictures, we'd just smile and shoot them a Peace Sign.  ☮️ 🕊️✌️

For those who failed to take Civics in school or who are not US Citizens:

Amendment I
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.

Read the OP. Nothing to do with 1st Amendment...

[unblocktheplanet]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

The beauty of masks is the same as the beauty of Chat sites,  No One knows who you are to you are free to do was you please and say what you want no mater how outrageous.

 

The other thing is tht we have these organizations and because we do not know their face the police can not arrest or detainpeople that do in fact break the law.

 

It would be interesting to know how many of these protestors are protestors and how many are either paid or unpaid antagonists that just want to destroy things, steal and raise hell.

 

Imagine the hell that would happen here if all the protest leaders hid their faces stopping police form kow who they are.  

Give me a break! In my experience, there are no paid protestors, even here. Want to know where I can buy a keffiyeh in Ukraine colors.

 

Imagine if all the police wore masks as they were clubbing nonviolent demonstrators. Is that okay?

 

I'd mask, too. We live in a surveillance society with cameras on every corner, facial recognition & phone cameras. It's 1984, in case you hadn't noticed.

 

All Middle Easterners are Semites, by the way. Israel's IDF are following illegal orders to blast civilian targets, against the Geneva Convention. I hope those who give the orders, including that 'Yahu are convicted of war crimes.

 

The only Israeli heroes are the conscientious objectors.

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

Trump is looking increasingly desperate as he flails about trying to get a win in the US, and failing.

Luckily the US has a constitution and federal judges that are not contaminated by the president.

Here's to Trump losing, again.

[oxo1947]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

The beauty of masks is the same as the beauty of Chat sites,  No One knows who you are to you are free to do was you please and say what you want no mater how outrageous.

 

You must be on a different chat site then ASEAN.............................

[proton]

19 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Trump is looking increasingly desperate as he flails about trying to get a win in the US, and failing.

Luckily the US has a constitution and federal judges that are not contaminated by the president.

Here's to Trump losing, again.

 

Dream on Kamala lover 😁

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

Following the latest round of pro-Hamas protests, Columbia University alumni have urged the school to adopt an official mask ban.

Time the Columbia University got it's act together and sorted out their own mess.

[rough diamond]

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Imagine if all the police wore masks as they were clubbing nonviolent demonstrators. Is that okay?

They do wear masks if they are deploying CS Gas (anti riot gas) whether or not they are clubbing anyone!

Is that okay?

[cjinchiangrai]

Yet another unconstitutional pronouncement by the fascist in chief. 

[Nick Carter icp]

13 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Yet another unconstitutional pronouncement by the fascist in chief. 

 

   Did you read the O.P ?

 

 "But Trump himself has the authority to put a stop to masked rioters on campuses through an executive order"

 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

There you go again. I would expect no less from you resorting to juvenile and hateful names like "confirmed anti-semite", how inane and childish can you possibly be? You must be a republican. 

 

Nothing juvenile and hateful about calling you out for being an antisemite, your comment was loaded with typical antisemitism, as many of your previous comments have been.

 

As for your pathetic attempt to throw in a preemptive disclaimer by saying you are a Jew, hoping it would give some credence to your comment; pathetic, disgraceful and hilarious in equal measure¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

It is of extreme importance to differentiate between people protesting against Israel's approach to this war in Gaza, and antisemitism. They are two completely different things, however Israel is an extremely thin skinned nation, and very intolerant of any sort of criticism. As a Jew I know that many Jews are thin-skinned when it comes to any sort of criticism of Israel, and it's often interpreted as being anti-semitic. I've been called a Jew hater for criticizing Israeli policy so I know how sensitive the issue can be, and it's very important to interpret it correctly. Jews and all people have the right to be critical of Israeli policy, especially now that the extremists have taken over gotten the support of a hateful PM, and are engaging in what could be called a ridiculously disproportionate campaign against the Gazans. 

 

Israel must be very careful at this point as they are losing support around the world, by the day it's gotten to the point where there are very few nations who are still supportive of Israel, and the IDF, and even the US is considering withdrawing some support. That would put them in dire straits, and very isolated. But, they deserve that, in my opinion.

 

This move by Trump is not surprising since he's an avid supporter of the extremists in Israel, and he's very much against the concept of dark-skinned people having any level of power, including the Palestinian people. 

 

 

   The protestors were attacking Jews though ,American Jews like you .

They would target you if you met them .

They would harass and abuse you l like they did to other American Jews.

They were indeed an Anti Sematic mob .

The old "You can even criticise Israel , without being called Anti-Sematic" cannot be applied to in this instance  , because non Israeli Jews were being attacked 

 

 

[spidermike007]

10 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Nothing juvenile and hateful about calling you out for being an antisemite, your comment was loaded with typical antisemitism, as many of your previous comments have been.

 

As for your pathetic attempt to throw in a preemptive disclaimer by saying you are a Jew, hoping it would give some credence to your comment; pathetic, disgraceful and hilarious in equal measure¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

 

Well I have a lot of Jews in my family and I have a lot of very close Jewish friends, and I have a lot of affection for the Jewish faith and culture.

 

But for people with relatively simple minds, the concept of separating how one feels about Jews from how one feels about official Israeli politics and policy is just simply too much to grasp. It is alot more nuanced and is just too complicated, for jingos, memes and hateful politics. Hence, it is easier to use a term like you use. It is always far harder to understand nuanced beliefs. Especially for a supporter of the goombah. 

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

Well I have a lot of Jews in my family and I have a lot of very close Jewish friends, and I have a lot of affection for the Jewish faith and culture.

 

But for people with relatively simple minds, the concept of separating how one feels about Jews from how one feels about official Israeli politics and policy is just simply too much to grasp. It is alot more nuanced and is just too complicated, for jingos, memes and hateful politics. 

Then perhaps stick to the topic which is not about any of that. Or anything to do with your faith and friends faiths. Its just off topic deflection.

 

Here it is again for you:

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

10 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   The protestors were attacking Jews though ,American Jews like you .

They would target you if you met them .

They would harass and abuse you l like they did to other American Jews.

They were indeed an Anti Sematic mob .

The old "You can even criticise Israel , without being called Anti-Sematic" cannot be applied to in this instance  , because non Israeli Jews were being attacked 

 

 

You might be right. You are one of the more reasonable intellects on this forum, so I will take this into account. Thanks. 

[spidermike007]

6 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Then perhaps stick to the topic which is not about any of that. Or anything to do with your faith and friends faiths. Its just off topic deflection.

 

Here it is again for you:

 

 

 

Well, I was sidetracked by a personal attack. Just trying to provide some clarification. 

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

Well, I was sidetracked by a personal attack. Just trying to provide some clarification. 

Your first post before you were side tracked was exactly the same off topic waffle deflecting what the article is about.

[Dexxter]

5 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

The topic is the banning of wearing masks for no reason other than to conceal identity, something you have failed to mention in your anti-Israel, antisemitic rant.

 

Here is a perfect example of the thin skin Spidermike007 was talking about.

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, Dexxter said:

 

Here is a perfect example of the thin skin Spidermike007 was talking about.

No just facts if you read the topic.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

You might be right. You are one of the more reasonable intellects on this forum, so I will take this into account. Thanks. 

 

  It does get rather tiresome keeping on having to explaining the basics and others who just keep repeating he same old slogans .

   You may have a high education, but you don't have natural intelligence .

   "You can criticise Israel without being labelled an anti semite"

"Its a genocide" 

"Apartheid"

"The war didn't start on Oct 7 th "