Hundreds of left-leaning nonprofits have come together to express their concerns about President Trump’s memo issued in September, which targets domestic terrorism and political violence.
The letter asserts that while political violence is indeed unacceptable, Trump’s approach—essentially seeking to defund and dismantle nonprofit organizations he disagrees with—poses significant risks. It continues that such actions are both condemned and dangerous.
On September 25, Trump released a memorandum aimed at “investigating and disrupting networks, entities, and organizations that facilitate political violence.” This directive specifically gives the National Joint Terrorism Task Force broader powers to look into potential crimes related to recruitment or radicalization for violence, terrorism, or conspiracy against civil rights.
According to the memo, there are “patterns of violent and terrorist activity” disguised under a supposed commitment to anti-fascism, which the document claims works to misrepresent fundamental American values as fascistic, thus justifying violent uprisings.
Trump’s directives also refer to organized campaigns and the networks suspected of being involved in domestic terrorism and political violence. It highlights that common motivations behind these acts include anti-American sentiment, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity, along with a push for overhaul on issues like migration, race, and gender, and a general hostility towards traditional American views on family and religion.
Notably, Trump previously labeled Antifa as a terrorist organization. The memo sparked considerable backlash from the left, although it maintains that it does not establish new laws and will operate within existing legal frameworks.
Some of the groups that signed against Trump’s memo have shown support for causes like anti-Israel initiatives, the riots that swept the country, and controversial medical procedures for children concerning gender identity.
Various chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have also opposed Trump’s directives, with CAIR’s Executive Director remarking recently that Hamas “was pleasantly surprised” at the situation in Israel.
The letter was endorsed by Palestinian American Muslim organizations, including the AMP, co-founded by Hatem Bazian, who is known for establishing “Students for Justice in Palestine” at Berkeley. The AMP is recognized for financially supporting anti-Zionist groups.
The organization, under scrutiny, claimed it hasn’t been using its collected funds appropriately, leading to investigations into its practices. Despite efforts to reach out for comments regarding these allegations, responses were not forthcoming.
Organizations like the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), which also signed the letter, have been connected to groups that promote similar ideologies. Other signatories have focused on various local issues, particularly those against law enforcement.
For instance, the Policing Equity Center signed a separate letter condemning what they termed “state-sanctioned violence” against Black Americans, a sentiment echoed during the Black Lives Matter movement.
Additionally, the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led organization, has voiced demands to abolish police, with some reports indicating their links to movements associated with Antifa. They, along with other signatories, have criticized Trump’s recent deportation initiatives, labeling them as violent.
Trump’s memo references a significant rise in attacks against ICE agents, attributing it as a rationale behind the latest order, citing a dramatic increase in violent incidents linked to immigration enforcement.
Lastly, some organizations involved have expressed support for transgender rights amid Trump’s federal measures against such medical practices for minors, highlighting campaigns to support transgender youth and their families.
Notably, the memo also brings to light a recent incident involving a suspected murder linked to a high-profile event that made headlines, illustrating the complex social and political fabric in play.
In conclusion, Trump’s memorandum calls for proactive measures to disrupt networks and organizations that, in his view, contribute to political violence, opening up a multifaceted debate about how best to address these persistent issues in society.
