Why Are Student Protests Disappearing Under Trump’s Second Term?

It’s a refrain that echoes across media: “Where are the student protests?” When global crises unfold, pundits and commentators often dismiss modern activism as nonexistent—unless it serves their narrative. The target of their frustration? Not the issues themselves, but the perceived silence of today’s youth.

Critics from Jonathan Haidt to Jesse Watters have framed students as ineffective or even complicit in geopolitical conflicts. A writer for The Atlantic recently wondered why left-leaning college students hadn’t “practically started a revolution” over U.S. military actions in Iran. But the real question isn’t why students aren’t protesting—it’s why their voices are being systematically suppressed.

Between spring and fall 2024, the number of campus protests dropped by a staggering 64%. By the time Donald Trump returned to office, universities were already under immense pressure to curb dissent. Administrators, once desperate to control protests, now claimed their hands were tied by federal policies.

Almost immediately after Trump’s reelection, dozens of universities rushed to implement stricter speech policies. Outdoor campus areas were restricted: megaphones, musical instruments, and other forms of protest were banned unless permitted during limited hours. Faculty members who joined protests faced legal and disciplinary consequences, while university presidents testified before Congress to prove their compliance with Trump’s six executive orders on education.

Some institutions went further. The University of California, Berkeley handed over students’ personal information to the federal government under threats of losing funding. Others turned a blind eye as immigration enforcement agencies targeted pro-Palestinian activists. Students like Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk were detained by ICE, while Momodou Taal was pressured into leaving the country to avoid deportation.

Faculty and students still face repercussions years later. At City University of New York (CUNY) and New York University (NYU), commencement speakers critical of Israel have been barred. At Swarthmore College, students are preparing for criminal trials over 2024 encampment protests instead of final exams.

The crackdown extends beyond physical protests. Immigrant students risk losing their green cards for online speech about Israel, Palestine, or global conflicts. Yet, activism persists in unexpected ways. On April 24, dozens of students at Occidental College stormed the quad, unfurling Palestinian flags and setting up encampments—echoing tactics used at Columbia University in 2024.