Trump DOJ targets Soros-funded group as indictments loom for Comey, James

The U.S. Department of Justice has, at the direction of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, instructed U.S. attorney offices to consider charging the Open Society Foundations, a Soros-funded grant-making network, with crimes including 'support for terrorism'. The directive affects at least six offices as prosecutors review possible cases tied to the donor’s network.

The memo was circulated to U.S. attorneys in California, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Detroit and Maryland, according to people familiar with the document. The instruction asks offices to prepare to submit investigative plans in the near term and signals an intent to broaden the scope of potential charges beyond traditional civil or administrative actions.

The directive also suggests prosecutors consider a wide range of charges against the Open Society Foundations, including racketeering, arson, wire fraud and material support for terrorism, according to the memo obtained by The New York Times. The foundation responded by saying its activities are peaceful and lawful and rejected the allegations as politically motivated attacks on civil society and free speech.

The development comes the day after multiple outlets reported that indictments are imminent for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Lawyers in the Eastern District of Virginia could soon be asked to present votes on proposed indictments in cases involving Comey and James.

In parallel messaging, officials described as aides to the Department of Justice indicated that Deputy AG Blanche’s office has urged prosecutors to evaluate the substantive basis for pursuing charges against Soros-linked groups, tying in the conservative Capital Research Center’s report that claims Soros’s network has funded groups linked to extremism or violence. Aakash Singh, identified as the attorney coordinating communications with prosecutors across the country, circulated the report to determine whether the allegations could justify opening criminal cases.

Open Society Foundations have pushed back on the assertions, saying they fund peaceful, lawful activities worldwide and reject any link to terrorism or illicit activity. The backdrop to the DOJ reviews includes Trump administration rhetoric casting Soros as a political target, with the president previously labeling Soros a 'bad guy' and calling for his prosecution in various forums.

The notes describing the order emphasize the DOJ’s interest in examining whether financial support to civil-society groups could be construed as criminal activity in a way that would withstand legal scrutiny. The document, circulated to field offices, also notes that the directive is designed to facilitate rapid planning and potential initiation of investigations if prosecutors conclude there is a prosecutable case.

As the political and legal processes unfold, observers cautioned that the attribution of potential charges to philanthropic foundations could raise questions about free association and the boundaries of criminal liability for grant makers. Still, officials involved in the process stressed that the department’s priority is to assess any credible legal theories and to pursue cases consistent with the rule of law.