Trump Counterterrorism Strategy Expands Administration's War on Progressives

"The new memo builds on one issued last September, called the National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7) on “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.” Organizers warn the administration's so-called “America First” counterterrorism strategy represents a threat to human rights, civil liberties, and the ongoing struggle for democracy and are shoring up their work to protect against its directives."

"“NSPM-7 is a deliberate attempt to sow fear and intimidate and silence opposition to the president's abuses,” wrote Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) National Security Project, in a blog post following NSPM-7's release. But, she continued, “[as] chilling as NSPM-7 is, and painful and difficult though its implementation may well prove to be, it contains nothing that we have not seen before.”"

"Specifically, the memo directs the Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI, and other national security agencies and departments to root out what it calls “domestic terrorist organizations.” But unlike foreign terrorism, for which there is an established designation the secretary of state can attach to groups headquartered outside the U.S., there is no official label or designation regime for so-called domestic terrorism."

"Instead, experts argue that the label serves to criminalize dissent and legitimize political opponents as law enforcement targets. The strategy he"

The 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy, published May 6, builds on NSPM-7, which focuses on countering domestic terrorism and organized political violence. The strategy directs the Department of Justice, the FBI, and other national security agencies to identify and root out “domestic terrorist organizations.” Critics warn the approach is designed to intimidate and silence opposition and threatens human rights and civil liberties. Unlike foreign terrorism, there is no established domestic designation regime comparable to state department labeling for groups headquartered outside the U.S. Experts argue the domestic terrorism label can be used to criminalize dissent and legitimize political opponents as law enforcement targets.

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