Civil Society Joins Law Firms, Colleges as Trump Admin Targets/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is now targeting civil society groups like watchdogs and environmental nonprofits in his widening crackdown on political adversaries. After law firms and universities, organizations like CREW are facing threats to their tax-exempt status, raising concerns over the future of advocacy in the U.S.
Civil Groups in Trump’s Crosshairs – Quick Look
- Trump signals plans to revoke tax-exempt status from critics like CREW and green groups.
- Nonprofits brace for legal battles, fearing financial devastation.
- The move follows actions against law firms and elite universities.
- Advocacy organizations warn of politicized retaliation using the federal government.
- Legal experts say the campaign tests the limits of executive power.
Trump Expands Target List to Civil Society Watchdogs and Nonprofits
Deep Looks
WASHINGTON (April 18, 2025) — President Donald Trump intensified his campaign of retribution on Thursday, signaling that nonprofit advocacy groups may be next in line for punitive action. Among those named: Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and a range of environmental organizations—entities the president accused of abusing their tax-exempt status to “target” him politically.
During public remarks at the White House, Trump referred to groups like CREW as “fake charities” and said his administration is actively reviewing their federal tax exemptions.
“The only charity they had is going after Donald Trump,” the president said of CREW. “So we’re looking at that. We’re looking at a lot of things.”
Pattern of Political Targeting
The president’s comments confirm what civil society organizations and watchdogs have feared: they are now squarely in the administration’s crosshairs, joining elite law firms and top universities that have recently been subjected to government scrutiny, sanctions, or threats of federal defunding.
Trump’s administration has previously issued executive orders against law firms involved in litigation connected to his past legal troubles and demanded sweeping policy overhauls at universities like Columbia and Harvard over campus activism and diversity programs.
Now, advocacy groups, many of which operate as nonprofits under 501(c)(3) status, are bracing for a wave of retaliatory action that could include removal of their tax-exempt status—a potentially crippling financial blow.
“It’s a sad day in this country when organizations that provide critical services to their communities are under attack from their government,” said Cole Leiter of Americans Against Government Censorship.
Environmental Groups Warn of Coming Orders
Among those most concerned are climate-focused nonprofits. Sources close to several major environmental organizations say they’ve received warnings that executive actions could be announced on Earth Day (April 22), specifically targeting groups that oppose Trump’s pro-fossil fuel agenda.
Kieran Suckling of the Center for Biological Diversity said the group is already preparing to respond in court if necessary.
“Trump is marshaling all the power of government to punish his perceived enemies,” Suckling said. “We’ve got a crack legal team and will have him in court within 24 hours.”
The administration’s potential actions could include scrutiny of nonprofit funders, like foundations that donate to environmental causes, according to internal legal memos reviewed by AP.
CREW: A Longtime Trump Watchdog
Founded by former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen, CREW has spent years investigating Trump’s business dealings, campaign activities, and use of federal power. Most recently, it joined legal challenges arguing that Trump was ineligible for re-election under the 14th Amendment following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
The group also filed lawsuits regarding the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal workers and use of public office for private gain.
“For more than 20 years, CREW has exposed government corruption from politicians of both parties,” said Jordan Libowitz, CREW’s vice president. “We will continue to do our work to ensure Americans have an ethical and accountable government.”
Weaponizing the Federal Government?
The Trump administration’s aggressive moves to punish perceived political enemies—from freezing $2 billion in federal funds to Harvard to pressuring law firms and now nonprofits—are increasingly being described by critics as the weaponization of government for political ends.
While some targets, like Columbia University, have complied with administration demands to avoid funding cuts, others—like Harvard and CREW—have held firm and are now facing retaliation.
Law firms reportedly struck a deal with the administration earlier this month, agreeing to millions in pro bono work in exchange for protection from contract termination and diversity-based hiring probes.
A Test of Executive Power
Trump’s widening actions signal a broader push to test the limits of executive authority, daring courts and Congress to intervene. Legal analysts say such maneuvers may undermine the independence of vital democratic institutions and open the door to long-term erosion of civil society.
“Good governance groups are the heart of a healthy democracy,” Libowitz added.
Advocates fear that once tax-exempt status is used as a political weapon, free expression and watchdog accountability may be permanently undermined—leaving nonprofits vulnerable to the whims of future administrations.
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