The U.S. Justice Department is set to commence a criminal investigation into the Open Society Foundations, a philanthropic organization funded by billionaire George Soros, known for his Democratic affiliations. This directive comes in the wake of President Donald Trump's public call for legal action against Soros, following the tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. The investigation will be a coordinated effort involving federal prosecutors from New York, California, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Detroit, and Maryland.
The investigation's scope includes potential charges such as racketeering, arson, wire fraud, and material support of terrorism, as detailed in a New York Times report. The president's intensified criticism and subsequent threat to leverage government resources against progressive donors, especially Soros, marks a significant escalation in the administration's stance on political philanthropy.
Established to support democratic initiatives in regions affected by communism, the Open Society Foundations expanded to the United States in the 1990s. The foundation has since been an advocate for civil rights, democracy, and social justice. However, conservative voices, including the Conservative Brief, have accused the foundation of inciting unrest and violence.
Todd Blanche's office dispatched a memo outlining strategic approaches for the investigation to federal prosecutors on Monday. Aakash Singh, a Justice Department lawyer, signed the order, which references a report by the conservative Capital Research Center. This report alleges that Soros-backed groups have channelled over $80 million into organizations connected to extremist violence, highlighting al-Haq, a Palestinian group Israel branded a terrorist front in 2022.
Justice Department spokesman Chad Gilmartin defended the investigation, stating that the department, along with its U.S. attorneys, prioritizes public safety and will investigate any organizations conspiring to commit violence or break federal laws. In contrast, the Open Society Foundations have vehemently denied the allegations, labeling the investigation as a politically motivated attack on civil society and a threat to free speech.
The organization emphasized that its activities within the U.S. are lawful, nonviolent, and dedicated to bolstering democracy and constitutional freedoms. This latest move by the Trump administration to scrutinize liberal donors and organizations has sparked concerns over the politicization of the Justice Department and the targeting of dissenting voices.
With formal investigative plans in development, the DOJ and federal prosecutors are proceeding under Trump's watchful eye, signaling an ongoing focus on the funding networks of progressive groups.
