GOP shifts from promoting to limiting campus free speech
Many conservatives once defended free speech on college campuses. They said it was wrong to silence anyone for their opinions. Now, however, some of those same leaders are pushing for new rules that could limit what can be said and taught in universities. President Trump and other Republican lawmakers believe new laws are needed to protect students from harmful ideas. They argue that certain content can create a hostile environment and lead to harassment. Their approach aims to prevent conformity among students. Trump has even threatened to cut federal funding for colleges that do not act quickly to address protests that some Jewish students found threatening. Meanwhile, Republican state politicians are creating laws to ban what they call “indoctrination” in the classroom. This includes restrictions on displaying certain L.G.B.T.Q. symbols and the removal of art they deem inappropriate.