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Following a months-long investigation into the Hamilton Hall occupation during last spring’s pro-Palestinian protests, Columbia University’s judicial board has issued sanctions against dozens of students. Penalties ranged from multi-year suspensions and temporary degree revocations to expulsions, reflecting the severity of individual actions. The university did not specify the number of students affected by each sanction. This action comes amidst other controversies, including a lawsuit by CAIR challenging the university’s release of student disciplinary records to Congress and the arrest of a student activist by federal immigration authorities.
President Trump’s administration is waging a broad assault on free speech, targeting various sectors with executive orders designed to enforce conformity to its viewpoints. This campaign utilizes threats of funding cuts, retaliation, and even deportation, as exemplified by the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder deported for pro-Palestinian activism. The actions chill free expression, prompting self-censorship among organizations fearful of losing funding, and represent a significant escalation of attacks on First Amendment rights. Legal challenges are mounting against these executive orders, which critics argue are unconstitutionally vague and constitute viewpoint discrimination.
A US court has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Sarah Wynn-Williams, former Facebook global public policy director, from promoting her critical memoir, *Careless People*. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, claims the book contains false and defamatory statements, while Wynn-Williams’ publisher, Macmillan, asserts her right to free speech. The order, issued by the American Arbitration Association, prohibits further distribution and requires retraction of previous disparaging comments. Wynn-Williams’ book details her seven years at Facebook, including allegations of collaboration with the Chinese government and investor misleading, claims Meta denies.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, was illegally detained and disappeared by ICE agents acting on Trump’s orders. His arrest, following the revocation of his green card, is a blatant violation of his constitutional rights and directly linked to his activism against the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The administration’s actions represent a calculated test of its power, exploiting the lack of substantial response from Columbia University and the Democratic Party. This incident highlights a dangerous precedent, signaling potential for future politically motivated disappearances and further erosion of civil liberties.
Bernie Sanders’s statement that Elon Musk calling Mark Kelly a “traitor” is “beyond the pale” encapsulates a sentiment shared by many. The sheer audacity of the accusation, levied by a figure known for controversial pronouncements and actions, is striking.
The gravity of the situation is amplified by the fact that Mark Kelly is a former astronaut, a decorated figure who has served his country with distinction. To label such a person a traitor, especially in a casual and dismissive manner, seems to trivialize the concept of patriotism and service.
Moreover, the context of Kelly’s actions – visiting a foreign country, a common practice for senators involved in international affairs – further undermines Musk’s claim.… Continue reading
News Corp’s response to criticism of the author’s comments on Trump’s tariffs was predictable, focusing blame on the author and others while ignoring Trump’s role. The author argues that self-censorship to avoid Trump’s wrath sets a dangerous precedent, undermining free speech. Trump’s actions, including imposing tariffs despite trade agreements and undermining Ukraine, demonstrate an unreliable and self-serving approach to international relations. Consequently, Australia must reassess its reliance on the US as an ally and strengthen its own defenses.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian green card holder and Columbia University graduate, was arrested by federal agents without a warrant for his participation in antiwar protests. President Trump publicly labeled Khalil a “Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student,” despite a lack of evidence supporting this claim. A judge temporarily blocked Khalil’s deportation, pending further legal action, while his attorney argues the arrest violated his First Amendment and due process rights. The arrest sparked widespread condemnation and protests, with critics decrying it as a politically motivated attack on free speech.
The Trump administration, citing pro-terrorist and anti-Semitic activities on college campuses, threatened to defund universities harboring such actions and to punish involved students through imprisonment, deportation, or expulsion. This culminated in the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University. The administration’s actions, targeting a student of Algerian and Palestinian origin, appear ethnically motivated and align with broader immigration enforcement goals. This raises concerns about the suppression of free speech and the targeting of legal immigrants.
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, who was arrested for his pro-Palestinian activism. The arrest, reportedly stemming from a State Department order to revoke his green card, is seen as an escalation of efforts to suppress pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses. Khalil’s attorney argues the arrest is an attempt to suppress political speech, while the DHS claims his activities aligned with Hamas. A legal challenge is underway, with the judge’s order preventing Khalil’s deportation pending a ruling.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood