The Trump administration has initiated attacks on civil society, targeting organizations such as nonprofits, universities, and the media. These actions include significant cuts to federal funding, with over $1 billion affected. Critics highlight the systematic intimidation of civil institutions, which includes undermining public data and research investments. Definitions of civil society encompass a broad range of organizations, including NGOs, community groups, and religious institutions, emphasizing their role in supporting democracy and resisting government overreach. The ongoing actions by the administration aim to silence these voices, provoking strong resistance from affected entities.
"Law firms, universities and now civil society groups are in Trump's sights for punitive action," noted the Associated Press in April, as the Trump administration moved to cut over $1 billion in federal funding to nonprofits from Meals on Wheels to Head Start.
"The Trump administration is undermining publicly produced data, slashing public investments in research, and intimidating civil society institutions that produce fact-based analyses," noted the Brookings Institute in March.
"This administration has systematically attacked every aspect of civil society, from academia to law firms and the media, and is now coming after the nonprofit sector," said Nick Turner, president of the Vera Institute.
"What makes civil society different from uncivil society is its essential role in protecting democracy and providing checks and balances against government power."
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