Trump’s Assault on Civil Society Organizations is a Dire Crisis for U.S. Rule of Law

September 26, 2025 – Center for International Policy President and CEO Nancy Okail issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s issuance of a Presidential Memorandum targeting U.S. civil society organizations under the guise of countering domestic terrorism and political violence:

“As someone who has experienced political persecution at the hands of an autocratic regime first hand, I recognize this as a moment of dire crisis for the rule of law in the United States.

“The new Presidential Memorandum falsely blames recent outrageous acts of violence on an imaginary ‘anti-fascist’ network and instructs federal anti-terrorism authorities to investigate and disrupt civil society organizations that, in the administration’s opinion, are hostile to ‘traditional American views.’

“Let’s be clear – this is open suppression of free speech and other constitutionally protected political activity. It comes at the same time as President Trump is publicly pressing the Department of Justice to prosecute those he sees as political enemies and attempting to erase evidence of the epidemic of deadly right wing extremism.”

“We stand with the non-violent, law-abiding civil society organizations targeted by this autocratic assault, including those with which we have been privileged to work closely, like the Open Society Foundations. Americans across the political spectrum should mobilize to oppose this blatant attack on our democracy and civil liberties.”