Washington • President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon protecting freedom of speech on college campuses, surrounded by student activists who have said conservative views are suppressed at universities.
Trump said he was taking "historic action to defend American students and American values that have been under siege."
More than 100 students joined the president in the East Room for the signing, according to a statement from the White House, along with state legislators and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The order directs 12 agencies that make federal grants, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, to ensure colleges are complying with the law and their own policies to promote free inquiry and debate.