Judge orders more filings in FIU free-speech trial

Four Florida International University students are challenging suspensions and expulsions over racist, antisemitic and violent messages in private WhatsApp chats, arguing that the university violated their First Amendment rights. The messages, which became public after being leaked to the Miami Herald, included repeated racial slurs and statements about killing Black people; the students’ lawyer characterized them as offensive jokes rather than genuine threats. FIU says the messages caused fear and disruption among students, and Judge Cecilia Altonaga said the university had presented a strong case on that issue. After a two-day bench trial, the judge ordered additional filings and closing arguments but issued no final ruling. The case could clarify how far public universities may go in disciplining students for hateful or threatening speech.