DOJ Directs Probes of Soros-Funded Open Society

The Justice Department has directed more than half a dozen U.S. attorney’s offices — including in California, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Detroit and Maryland — to draft plans to investigate the Open Society Foundations, the philanthropic network funded by George Soros. A memo circulated by Aakash Singh in Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office listed potential charges prosecutors might consider, including racketeering (RICO), wire fraud, money laundering, arson and material support for terrorism. The directive cited a Capital Research Center report alleging Open Society funneled more than $80 million to U.S. and foreign groups linked to extremist activity; DOJ spokespeople said prosecutors would prioritize public safety. Open Society Foundations strongly denied any links to terrorism, calling the allegations “outrageous and false,” and critics and multiple outlets warned the move represents an escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to use the Justice Department against perceived political opponents after President Trump repeatedly targeted Soros and following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.