President Donald Trump's recent directive for federal agencies to clamp down on political violence is drawing sharp criticism from Human Rights Watch (HRW). The rights group warns that the memorandum, issued on September 25, could seriously undermine human rights and democratic principles in the United States.

Titled "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence," the memorandum commands law enforcement and intelligence agencies to investigate and disrupt what it claims are networks of donors, NGOs, and activists financing extremist activities. Additionally, it directs the IRS to scrutinize nonprofit organizations and assigns Joint Terrorism Task Forces to spearhead these efforts.

The document specifically targets activities labeled as "anti-fascism" and cites several violent incidents, including the recent assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The Trump administration has linked Thompson’s alleged assassin, Luigi Mangione, to Antifa, a claim strongly refuted by Mangione’s legal team.

During the memorandum's signing, FBI Director Kash Patel remarked, “Our citizens are being attacked by organized violence, funded by others. We will follow the money and chase down these domestic terrorists.”

HRW’s Executive Director, Federico Borello, criticized the memorandum, stating, “President Trump’s order turns reality on its head by fabricating a nonexistent plot to suppress speech and ideas. It sends a dangerous signal to autocrats worldwide and should alarm all who value civil and political rights.”

The rights group argues that the memorandum’s vague language and broad directives could potentially chill free expression and association, posing a risk to civil society actors by undermining due process and the presumption of innocence.

Compounding concerns, HRW highlighted reports that the U.S. Department of Justice might open investigations into the Open Society Foundations, a philanthropic organization founded by George Soros, which supports numerous civil and human rights groups, including HRW itself. These potential investigations are seen as politically motivated, targeting organizations under allegations ranging from arson to supporting terrorism.

As global and domestic tensions rise, HRW is calling on governments worldwide to voice their concerns and urge the Trump administration to reconsider its approach, which they believe poses a grave threat to democratic governance and human rights protection in the United States.