In his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, President Donald Trump vowed to sign  an executive order  that would require universities to "support free speech" on their campuses in order to remain eligible for federal research funds.

"If they want our dollars and we give it to them by the billions, they've got to allow people like Hayden and many other great young people and old people to speak." He was referring to Hayden Williams, a conservative activist who made national news recently after being punched while campaigning for a right-wing group at U.C.

Berkeley.

The president brought Williams on stage with him as he made the announcement.

Although  President Trump  did not go into the specifics of the order, he made it clear that universities that violate the order will incur a "very costly" penalty.

Additional reporting from  Newsy affiliate CNN .