(Washington, DC) – President Donald Trump’s recent memorandum, issued on September 25, 2025, poses a significant threat to human rights and the integrity of democratic institutions in the United States, according to Human Rights Watch. The directive instructs federal law enforcement agencies to investigate a broad and unfounded conspiracy allegedly aimed at instigating political violence across the nation. This sweeping order targets philanthropic organizations and activist groups, linking them to a nebulous effort to incite violence, intimidation, and the suppression of political expression.
“President Trump’s order mobilizing federal law enforcement to investigate perceived opponents of his administration turns reality on its head,” stated Federico Borello, acting executive director of Human Rights Watch. “It fabricates a nonexistent plot as a pretext to suppress speech and ideas across the US political spectrum.”
In his memorandum, Trump claims that there has been a dramatic rise in political violence, attributing it to “sophisticated, organized campaigns of targeted intimidation, radicalization, threats, and violence” that supposedly aim to silence dissent and manipulate government policy. However, he fails to provide any credible evidence to back these assertions. Furthermore, he links these alleged campaigns to movements identifying themselves as “anti-fascism,” suggesting they have devised a comprehensive strategy to achieve specific policy goals through radicalization and violent intimidation—again, without offering proof.
Building on this dubious premise, Trump suggests that a broad array of civil society and philanthropic actors may be collaborating to instigate these supposed “campaigns” in various unspecified manners. He instructs law enforcement and tax authorities to prioritize the discovery of prosecutable crimes and offenses connected to these alleged conspiracies, explicitly calling for investigations into philanthropic and non-governmental organizations.
During the signing of the memorandum, Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Kash Patel outlined plans to target specific organizations and individuals. He remarked that law enforcement would “follow the money” and pursue these entities “like the domestic terrorists that they are,” a statement that raises serious concerns about the implications for civil liberties and the freedom to dissent.
This memorandum comes on the heels of news reports indicating that the US Department of Justice is considering investigating the Open Society Foundations for potential criminal offenses. Founded by philanthropist George Soros, the Open Society Foundations support various civil and human rights advocacy groups, including Human Rights Watch. Soros has long been a focal point of the administration’s political attacks.
“When the US president undermines rights and democratic principles at home, it sends a green light to autocrats everywhere,” Borello emphasized. “Concerned governments should speak up about the serious threats to civil and political rights in the United States and urge the Trump administration to reverse course.”
The implications of this memorandum are profound, raising alarms about the potential for heightened surveillance and repression of dissenting voices in America. Critics argue that such actions set a dangerous precedent, not only endangering the fundamental rights of citizens but also undermining the very tenets of democracy itself. The call to investigate philanthropic organizations, which often serve as critical watchdogs and advocates for social justice, may further chill free expression and civic engagement.
As the 2025 political landscape unfolds, the ramifications of Trump’s memorandum will likely reverberate beyond the borders of the United States. The global community watches with concern as the administration’s actions could embolden authoritarian regimes that seek to curtail civil liberties within their own countries. The struggle to protect human rights and democratic principles remains a pressing issue, and the responsibility lies with citizens and leaders alike to resist any encroachment on these essential freedoms.
