The Trump administration has directed federal prosecutors to investigate George Soros-funded Open Society Foundations for potential terrorism support, marking an unprecedented probe into one of America’s most influential liberal philanthropic networks.
Story Highlights
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche ordered seven U.S. Attorney offices to prepare investigations into Open Society Foundations
- Potential charges include racketeering, material support for terrorism, arson, and wire fraud
- Investigation follows White House calls for criminal action against left-leaning nonprofits after Charlie Kirk’s death
- OSF denies terrorism connections while civil liberties groups condemn the probe as political persecution
DOJ Launches Multi-State Investigation
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued directives to at least seven U.S. Attorney offices across California, New York, Illinois, Michigan, and Maryland in September 2025. The unprecedented order instructs federal prosecutors to examine Open Society Foundations for potential criminal violations including material support for terrorism, racketeering, and wire fraud. This represents the first known federal terrorism-related investigation targeting the Soros-funded organization that has long operated as a major force in progressive activism.
The investigation directive emerged following public threats from White House leadership to pursue criminal actions against certain nonprofits. These threats intensified after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, prompting renewed calls for accountability measures against organizations perceived as undermining conservative values. The timing suggests a coordinated effort to address longstanding conservative concerns about foreign influence and ideological subversion through philanthropic channels.
Soros Network Under Federal Scrutiny
Open Society Foundations, established by billionaire George Soros and now led by his son Alex Soros, has distributed billions globally to support democracy initiatives, human rights advocacy, and social justice causes. The organization has faced persistent criticism from conservative circles for allegedly funding activities that undermine traditional American values and support radical left-wing agendas. Federal investigators are now examining whether any OSF grants crossed legal boundaries into supporting activities that could constitute terrorism or organized criminal enterprises.
The foundation immediately pushed back against the investigation, issuing statements denying any terrorism connections and characterizing the probe as politically motivated harassment. OSF emphasized that their activities remain “peaceful and lawful” and their grantees are “committed to justice and democracy.” However, the organization’s extensive funding network across multiple countries and causes provides investigators with substantial material to examine for potential violations of federal terrorism and racketeering statutes.
Constitutional Concerns and Legal Implications
Civil liberties organizations, including the ACLU, have condemned the investigation as “a thinly veiled attempt to target those who disagree with President Trump.” This criticism reflects broader concerns about the weaponization of federal law enforcement against political opponents and the chilling effect such investigations could have on legitimate philanthropic activities. The unprecedented nature of terrorism charges being considered against a major philanthropic foundation raises questions about prosecutorial overreach and the politicization of the Justice Department.
Trump DOJ official tells prosecutors to probe George Soros group for potential 'pro-terror' funding: reporthttps://t.co/59dEiYoOjc https://t.co/4utcrZNEgS
— Sukhi jeevan parash🇮🇳मोदी का परिवार (@JeevanSukhi) September 26, 2025
The investigation represents a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign against perceived political adversaries, extending federal scrutiny beyond individual critics to major institutional opponents. Legal experts note the rarity of terrorism-related charges against philanthropic organizations, suggesting prosecutors face substantial evidentiary hurdles to justify such serious allegations. The outcome could establish important precedents for how federal authorities can investigate and potentially prosecute organizations whose political activities challenge government policies.
Sources:
ABC News coverage
ACLU official statement
