The administration of US President Donald Trump has launched a wide-ranging investigation into the Open Society Foundations, funded by billionaire George Soros. According to the New York Times, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has ordered six federal prosecutors' offices in California, New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, Detroit and Maryland to investigate allegations against the foundation's branches.
The allegations include support for terrorism, financial fraud and extortion, based largely on a report by the conservative organization Capital Research Center. The report claims that the Foundation has distributed over $80 million to groups suspected of links to violence and terrorism, including the Palestinian organization al-Haq, which was declared a front for terrorist activities by Israel in 2022.
In its response, the Open Society Foundations categorically denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and a threat to freedom of speech. “When power is used to oppress a few, the rights of all are at risk,” the statement said.
Trump has been a frequent critic of Soros, whom he accuses of financing "political chaos" and supporting his opponents, repeatedly calling for his investigation and punishment.
