U.S. judge: Silencing critics of Israel unconstitutional

Pars Today – A federal judge in California has ruled that the Donald Trump administration’s expulsion of foreign nationals and international students who criticize Israel’s actions and its war in Gaza is unconstitutional.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, Judge Noel Wise ruled that the U.S. government’s efforts to silence critics of Israel violate the Constitution.

The judge wrote: “If we are only free to express positive opinions about the government and its leaders, then freedom of speech is nothing more than an illusion. Freedom of speech and of the press are ‘the foundation of a stable American democracy.’”

George Porteous, editor-in-chief of The Stanford Daily, responded to the ruling on X, writing: “Our reporters should not have to worry about writing a story. Today’s victory means they no longer have to be afraid.”

The Donald Trump administration has intensified scrutiny of foreign students’ internship programs and warned U.S. universities that their eligibility to enroll international students could be revoked if they authorize work permits that violate regulations.

The Trump administration has also exerted extensive pressure in recent months on universities such as Harvard, accusing them of excessive liberalism and of promoting antisemitism. These measures, along with a broader immigration crackdown, have put many international students at risk of deportation or having their visas denied renewal.

Trump has also called for changes in CNN’s management and on-air hosts in response to mounting media criticism.

On Saturday, Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “CNN is in a death spiral, and so is MS NOW (the new name for MSDNC). Really, almost nobody watches either one of them!”

The U.S. president added: “The best face of CNN is Harry Enten, the pollster and public opinion analyst, because he was willing to show that Donald Trump is six times more popular than Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, or any other president. He has credibility (don’t fire him!).”