Americans Against Government Censorship and Nonprofits Together Applaud Ranking Member Morelle Report Holding the Trump Administration Accountable for Targeting Nonprofits
Thursday, September 24, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans Against Government Censorship and Nonprofits Together applaud Ranking Member Joe Morelle’s (NY-25) release of "Silenced, Sidelined and Under Threat: How the Trump Administration is Targeting Nonprofits and Weakening Democracy," a new report exposing the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the foundations of our democracy and weaken Americans’ confidence in the 2026 midterm elections through a sustained, whole of government attack on nonprofit organizations and other civic institutions.
These organizations – along with journalists, universities, and professional associations – have become targets of the Trump administration precisely because they are on the front lines of serving communities, protecting constitutional rights, and helping Americans navigate moments of crisis and uncertainty. Americans Against Government Censorship and Nonprofits Together were proud to partner with Ranking Member Morelle in the release of this report.
"Nonprofits and civic organizations are not some abstract parts of our democracy. They are part of our everyday lives,” said Ranking Member Morelle. "Today’s report is one part of a much broader effort, working alongside allies, to expose attacks on nonprofit organizations and document the weaponization of the federal government against this community so critical to our social fabric. We must push back when this abuse of power is used to punish perceived opponents, deter lawful civic engagement, and undermine the foundations of our democracy."
"Since President Trump re-took office, Americans Against Government Censorship has worked to expose and thwart the Administration’s whole of government approach to silencing opposition, chilling speech and action, and undermining free elections, all to help the President and his allies hold onto power," said Cole Leiter, Executive Director of Americans Against Government Censorship. "This report is an unprecedented recounting of the way this Administration has weaponized power against its enemies and created the environment for corruption to flourish, and it is key to the roadmap Congress is establishing for oversight, accountability, and an agenda that takes our country back for everyday Americans next year."
"This report should alarm anyone who stands for our fundamental First Amendment rights," said Vanita Gupta, founder of Nonprofits Together and former U.S. Associate Attorney General. "The federal government's actions against nonprofits and independent institutions are not isolated incidents. They are part of a coordinated effort by this administration to silence speech and dissent, including targeting critical organizations ahead of the midterm elections."
The report provides concrete examples of The Trump Administration’s assault on its political opponents, including:
Ways the administration is undercutting civil society by abusing law enforcement and national security authorities, attacking the institutions that protect freedom of expression, speech and faith, silencing nonprofits with disfavored viewpoints, and undermining free and fair elections.
A pattern of abuse by the Trump administration and its allies that, taken together, amounts to a whole-of-government weaponization campaign against civil society.
Click here to read the report.
