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President Trump signed National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7), titled "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence," which for the first time identifies ideological beliefs—rather than violent conduct—as indicators of domestic terrorism. The memorandum lists "common threads animating this violent conduct" including: anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, anti-Christianity, support for overthrowing the U.S. government, "extremism on migration, race, and gender," and "hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality."
The directive instructs the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) to "coordinate and supervise a comprehensive national strategy to investigate, prosecute, and disrupt entities and individuals engaged in acts of political violence and intimidation." It directs the DOJ, Treasury, and IRS to "aggressively monitor, investigate, and take action against organizations purportedly linked—directly or indirectly—to acts of political violence or domestic terrorism," explicitly targeting nonprofit funding sources and tax-exempt status.
The ACLU condemned NSPM-7 on the day of signing, stating: "if anyone needed proof that 'terrorism' and 'political violence' are slippery and fraught categories subject to political, ideological, and racial manipulation and bias—well, this is it." Congressman Ro Khanna called it "one of his most dangerous power grabs yet." Legal experts noted the president has no constitutional authority to declare domestic terrorist organizations, as laws authorizing such designations explicitly exclude domestic groups.
Miles Taylor, former DHS Chief of Staff under Trump's first administration, called the directive "Orwellian beyond belief." The Brennan Center found NSPM-7 "ungrounded in fact and law," emphasizing its "failure to cite any statute or constitutional provision." Critics warned NSPM-7 "for the first time appears to authorize preemptive law enforcement measures against Americans based not on whether they are planning to commit violence but for their political or ideological beliefs." On December 4, 2025, AG Bondi issued an implementing memo ordering the FBI to compile lists of targeted organizations.