President Donald Trump, in a statement on Friday, revealed his administration's intentions to launch a federal investigation into billionaire George Soros and his family for potential racketeering charges. The announcement, made during an interview on Fox & Friends, signals an aggressive approach to probing Soros's involvement in what the President describes as a "RICO case against him and other people."
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly known as RICO, is a federal law designed to combat organized crime by targeting those who engage in ongoing criminal enterprises. Trump articulated his concerns, suggesting that Soros's actions extend beyond mere protest organization to "real agitation" and "riots on the street."
Trump's allegations are not without precedent in his rhetoric. He has consistently accused Soros, a well-known Democratic benefactor, of covertly funding left-wing causes, including what he terms a "professional protest movement." These assertions are part of a broader narrative among conservatives, who have long scrutinized Soros for his political influence and financial support of various advocacy groups.
The president's comments follow a tragic incident at Utah Valley University, where Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, was fatally shot while addressing a large audience. Trump linked this act of violence to what he considers broader political violence networks, vowing, "My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity."
The Open Society Foundations, Soros's philanthropic organization, has categorically denied any involvement in violent protests. In August, following similar accusations, the group stated that it "does not support or fund violent protests," branding the prosecution threats "outrageous."
RICO laws have traditionally been applied to criminal organizations, such as gangs and corrupt businesses, not protest movements. The challenge for prosecutors is to demonstrate a consistent pattern of criminal activity connected to an enterprise. However, Trump and his allies believe that if violent actors receive support from financial networks, RICO could be an appropriate investigative tool.
As the 2026 midterms approach, Trump seems to be sharpening his focus on law and order, spotlighting violent crime in urban areas and implicating Democratic donors in the fomentation of unrest. Soros, at 94, remains a central figure in Republican critiques, having funded various progressive causes and candidates over the decades.
While the White House swiftly moves to associate recent violent incidents with a broader crackdown on political violence, details regarding the investigation's scope or its current status remain unclear. A Justice Department spokesperson has refrained from confirming any active investigation into Soros or his organizations.
In the midst of these developments, President Trump's determination to pursue a RICO case against Soros suggests a heightened level of scrutiny on the financier's political and philanthropic activities, which may have significant implications for the political landscape leading up to the midterms.
