Chronicle of Philanthropy: “The Re-Election Of President Trump Has Placed American Civil Society In Its Most Vulnerable Position In A Generation”
From legislation allowing the Trump administration blanket power to target nonprofits to advancing an FBI director nominee with an “enemies list,” Trump and his allies are poised to fulfill their promise of waging war on the progressive infrastructure of our civil society. Read the latest below — and how we can protect these critical institutions.
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Chronicle of Philanthropy: How Trump Could Target Nonprofits — and How to Protect Yours
- Not since the Civil Rights era, when pro-segregation state governments attempted to undermine charitable organizations like the NAACP, has civil society faced such an acute threat.
- Now the re-election of President Trump has placed American civil society in its most vulnerable position in a generation.
- While defending against the likely threats of Trump’s return to office will be difficult, the philanthropic sector cannot disengage from pro-democracy work at a time when American democracy is at its weakest point. Instead, funders and advocates should redouble their efforts to strengthen the pro-democracy movement and preserve our institutions. The cost of inaction is too high.
REPORT Democracy Funders Network: The Authoritarian Threat: Preparing for the Repression of U.S. Philanthropy and Civil Society
- This report will explore the threats, fueled by rising authoritarian repression, to philanthropic and civic organizations in the U.S. under a second Trump administration, and provide recommendations on how civil society can prepare for and navigate the incoming administration.
- In this environment, it is essential that civil society groups prepare for these repressive threats.
The Guardian: Trump planning to target progressive non-profits, US watchdog warns
- Fears have been raised by the Trump second term agenda’s considerable overlap with Project 2025, a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation think tank that includes plans to attack non-profits, researchers and civil society groups that have challenged election denial narratives.
- Activists say the threat extends beyond political investigations and includes leveraging government agencies such as the justice department and IRS to investigate, prosecute and shut down organisations that oppose the administration’s policies.
- Trump has nominated individuals with a record of targeting non-profits they disagree with to key positions, including Billy Long for IRS commissioner and Pam Bondi for attorney general. Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI director, has vowed to “come after” media outlets and non-profits that he claims “helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections”.
- The Civic Defense Project said it will operate as a rapid response war room to debunk attacks and defend those unfairly targeted. The CIP will continue its work holding investigators accountable for partisan attacks.