United States of America - September 2025

In the aftermath of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, government officials announced investigations into ‘left-wing extremism’, suggesting it played a part in Kirk’s killing. Some officials, including Vice-President J.D. Vance, also encouraged people to report negative opinions or comments on Kirk’s assassination to employers or authorities such as the State Department. As a result, reports have emerged of workers being fired or visas being revoked; days after the shooting, up to 33 people had been fired or suspended from their jobs. In this context, political leaders are openly targeting political opponents, who they accuse of fomenting violence without any evidence. Trump administration officials hinted that investigations into left-leaning organizations could take place; without naming specific action on them, some philanthropic organizations such as the Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations were named. 

Sources: The Guardian, Reuters, BBC, Politico, Newsweek, ABC News