In a striking turn of events, the CIVICUS Monitor has placed the United States on its 2025 Watchlist due to severe threats to civic freedoms under the Trump administration. This alarming addition reflects unprecedented executive decrees aimed at dismantling democratic institutions, including a substantial cut in federal funding for groups aiding those in need, and the unraveling of the USAID framework.
Unrelenting executive orders have led to mass dismissals within the federal government and a concerning takeover of significant roles, such as the Justice Department, by loyalists of Trump. Such actions pose serious risks to constitutional rights surrounding peaceful assembly, expression, and association, raising fears of a regression in democratic values not witnessed since the McCarthy era.
CIVICUS warns that the US, previously a beacon for democracy and human rights, now joins the ranks of nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Serbia in exhibiting faltering civic freedoms. This new trajectory includes withdrawing aid and multilateral support, further jeopardising civic liberties globally, while establishing a chilling effect on dissent through targeted legislative efforts against protests.
The 2025 cuts to federal funds mean a precarious future for civil society organisations, particularly those working with marginalised populations. Additionally, ambitious foreign aid initiatives have been dismantled, compromising support for persecuted activists and diminishing vital international cooperation, placing human rights advancements in jeopardy.
Legislative attempts across states to stifle protests have flourished, with new laws imposing penalties and criminalising mask use during demonstrations. Furthermore, the media landscape has tightened, with journalists facing bans from press briefings and intimidation tactics on those covering sensitive subjects, stifling independent reporting and public access to information.
CIVICUS urges the United States to reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law and uphold essential human rights conventions. The increasing concerns about undemocratic actions resonate across all political hues in America, with citizens expressing profound disappointment in the current administration’s approach toward civic freedoms. Although the USA is currently rated with a ‘Narrowed’ civic space, this state of affairs continues to evolve, reflecting a broader trend towards repression and decreased public engagement.
The CIVICUS Monitor has placed the USA on its 2025 Watchlist due to significant threats to civic freedoms under the Trump administration. This includes cuts to federal funding for aid organisations, mass firings within government, and legislative measures restricting protests. The media landscape is tightening, with increased intimidation of journalists. These developments have resulted in the USA’s ‘Narrowed’ civic space classification, raising alarming concerns about the future of democracy and human rights in the country.
The addition of the United States to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist signals a distressing trend regarding civic freedoms under the current administration. With alarming executive actions threatening democratic pillars and civil society organisations, a light must be shone on these infringements. The urgency for the USA to recommit to human rights and democratic ideals is paramount, as the country grapples with internal discord and an unsettling trajectory for civic engagement.
Original Source: monitor.civicus.org
