The Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to draft plans for a criminal investigation into the Open Society Foundations.
The foundation is funded by billionaire Democratic donor George Soros.
The directive instructs U.S. attorneys in New York, California, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Detroit, and Maryland to prepare investigative strategies.
Potential charges listed include racketeering, arson, wire fraud, and material support of terrorism, according to The New York Times.
President Donald Trump has publicly demanded that Soros face criminal charges.
The president intensified criticism after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah this month.
At a rally, he threatened to use government levers to “go after” donors to progressive groups, specifically naming Soros.
The Open Society Foundations was originally created to fund democratic initiatives in communist and post-communist countries.
In the 1990s, the foundation expanded its reach to the U.S., providing grants to organizations supporting civil rights, democracy, and social justice.
Conservatives argue that the foundation also backs unrest, violent protests, and property destruction, according to the Conservative Brief.
Todd Blanche’s office, on Monday, sent a memo to federal prosecutors detailing the investigative strategies.
The order was signed by Aakash Singh, a Justice Department lawyer coordinating between the deputy attorney general’s office and U.S. attorney offices nationwide.
Singh cited a report by the conservative Capital Research Center, which accused Soros-backed groups of funneling more than $80 million into organizations connected to terrorism or extremist violence.
The report highlighted al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights group critical of Israel. In 2022, the Israeli government labeled al-Haq a front for terrorist activity.
Justice Department spokesman Chad Gilmartin defended the initiative. He said, “This D.O.J., along with our hard-working and dedicated U.S. attorneys, will always prioritize public safety and investigate organizations that conspire to commit acts of violence or other federal violations of law.”
The Open Society Foundations rejected the allegations, calling the investigation politically motivated.
“These accusations are politically motivated attacks on civil society, meant to silence speech the administration disagrees with and undermine the First Amendment right to free speech,” the foundation said.
It added that its U.S. programs are “solely dedicated to strengthening democracy and upholding constitutional freedoms.”
“Our activities are peaceful and lawful,” the group said.
The investigation marks the latest move by federal authorities under Trump to scrutinize liberal donors and organizations.
Critics argue the efforts risk politicizing the Justice Department and targeting speech that challenges the administration’s agenda.
The DOJ and federal prosecutors will now work on formal investigative plans, with Trump signaling continued oversight of progressive funding networks.
