US President Donald Trump threatens to cut federal funds for universities that allow 'illegal protests' in a social media post, sparking concerns about freedom of speech and assembly. Civil rights groups criticize the move as an attack on protected political speech. The US Constitution's First Amendment guarantees these freedoms. Trump's executive order in January aimed to investigate colleges that receive federal funding for failing to protect Jewish students and staff from antisemitism. The US government does not control schools or colleges, but the president can influence policy goals through federal funding.