The Justice Department is pushing for investigations into the George Soros-funded Open Society Foundations, the first such case since White House leaders threatened criminal actions against nonprofits in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death.
According to The New York Times, an attorney in Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office sent a note to half a dozen U.S. attorney offices asking that they prepare for investigations into the group, even suggesting potential charges such as arson and material support of terrorism.
Open Society Foundations funds nonprofits across the globe working on justice and human rights issues, though much of its work in the U.S. is dedicated to strengthening democracy.
On Thursday, the group denied any connection to terrorism, saying any investigation would be a thinly veiled attempt to target those who disagree with President Trump.
“The Open Society Foundations unequivocally condemn terrorism and do not fund terrorism. Our activities are peaceful and lawful, and our grantees are expected to abide by human rights principles and comply with the law,” the group said in a statement.
“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. When power is abused to take away the rights of some people, it puts the rights of all people at risk.”
Soros has given billions to left-leaning causes over the last several decades, making him a longtime target of the right.
But the call for investigations into his group follow comments from Vice President Vance and Stephen Miller, a White House deputy chief of staff, who have made clear they would use Kirk’s death as a rallying cry to target left-wing groups they claimed without evidence were disproportionately responsible for provoking political violence.
The Justice Department would not comment on the request for the investigations but referenced terrorism when reached by The Hill.
“The Attorney General is committed to the safety of every American. If organizations threaten the safety of Americans and violate U.S. law, we will pursue every lawful avenue — investigations and prosecutions to hold them accountable,” the department said in a statement.
“Terror has no place here.”
Miller and Vance discussed the plans earlier this month as the vice president hosted Kirk’s podcast following the assassination of the right-wing activist.
“With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks and make America safe again for the American people,” Miller said in a conversation with Vance, who was guest hosting Kirk’s show.
“We’re going to go after the NGO [nongovernmental organization] network that foments, facilitates and engages in violence,” Vance added.
Nonprofits, including Soros’s foundation, immediately sensed they might be a target, with 100 different groups penning a letter saying such moves would impact both their advocacy and their funding.
“Organizations should not be attacked for carrying out their missions or expressing their values in support of the communities they serve. We reject attempts to exploit political violence to mischaracterize our good work or restrict our fundamental freedoms, like freedom of speech and the freedom to give. Attempts to silence speech, criminalize opposing viewpoints, and misrepresent and limit charitable giving undermine our democracy and harm all Americans,” the coalition said in the letter.