The organization founded by billionaire Democratic donor and philanthropist George Soros accused the Trump administration of “politically motivated attacks” on Thursday, shortly before the president called out the financier while directing his White House to crack down on supporters of “domestic terrorism.”
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump blamed “radical leftists” for the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, raising fears of political polarization and of the administration using the assassination as a pretext to go after its critics.
On August 27, Trump called for Soros and his son to face federal racketeering charges over their support of “violent protests.”
What To Know
Soros’ Open Society Foundations said it unequivocally condemns terrorism and does not fund it. “Our activities are peaceful and lawful, and our grantees are expected to abide by human rights principles and comply with the law,” the organization said in a statement issued in response to reports that the Trump administration is directing investigations into its operations.
“These accusations are politically motivated attacks on civil society, meant to silence speech the administration disagrees with and undermine the First Amendment right to free speech,” it said.
In the aftermath of Kirk’s killing, Trump identified the antifa (a shorthand umbrella description for anti-fascist) movement as a “major terrorist organization” and said anyone funding it would be investigated.
On Thursday, the president directed his administration to crack down on backers of what it described as “left-wing terrorism.” Asked by a reporter about possible funders of such activity, Trump suggested Soros and another top Democratic Party top donor, Reid Hoffman, the Associated Press reported.
“Soros is a name certainly that I keep hearing. I don’t know,” Trump said. “I hear names of some pretty rich people that are radical left people … Maybe I hear about a guy named Reid Hoffman, pretty rich guy I guess. If they are funding these things, they’re going to have some problems.”
In a Thursday memo, the president said “a new law enforcement strategy” was required to tackle “domestic terrorists” waging “a violent assault against democratic institutions, constitutional rights, and fundamental American liberties.”
He also directed the IRS to ensure that “no tax-exempt entities are directly or indirectly financing political violence or domestic terrorism,” and where applicable to refer organizations to the Department of Justice for investigation and possible prosecution.
Soros, 95, was not mentioned in the memo. The Holocaust survivor who fled communism in Hungary and immigrated to the United States has been a frequent target of Republican criticism for his financial support of progressive causes and Democratic candidates.
His son, Alex Soros, is involved in progressive political funding through his father’s Open Society Foundations.
What People Are Saying
The Open Society Foundations, in its statement: “When power is abused to take away the rights of some people, it puts the rights of all people at risk. Our work in the United States is dedicated to strengthening democracy and upholding constitutional freedoms. We stand by the work we do to improve lives in the United States and across the world.”
Trump, in his memo on Thursday: “The United States requires a national strategy to investigate and disrupt networks, entities, and organizations that foment political violence so that law enforcement can intervene in criminal conspiracies before they result in violent political acts.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen what actions the Trump administration will take and whether it tries to circumscribe particular people and groups or target funding and other support for organizations or causes to which it objects.
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