Trump uses FARA to target left-wing activist networks
According to a single-source report from Fox News Digital, President Donald Trump is turning foreign-influence laws toward left-wing activist networks accused of benefiting from overseas money and support. The report states that legal experts see the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and related laws as a potential weapon in Trump’s campaign. FARA requires people acting in the U.S. on behalf of foreign governments to disclose relationships and funding, and criminal prosecutions became more common after 2016. The article notes that during the first Trump administration and the Biden administration, many targeted were close Trump allies, though some Democrats also faced investigations. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi narrowed FARA enforcement in 2025, citing weaponization under Biden. The Trump administration released a national security memo, NSPM-7, ordering agencies to investigate domestic terrorism and political violence, including possible FARA violations. The ACLU criticized the memo for potentially chilling free speech, while some legal experts argue it implements recommendations from a 2016 DOJ Inspector General report. Several groups and individuals did not respond to requests for comment.
What’s reported
President Trump is using FARA to target left-wing activist networks accused of benefiting from foreign money and support.
FARA requires disclosure of relationships and funding for those acting on behalf of foreign governments in the U.S.
Criminal FARA prosecutions were rare before 2016, with only seven criminal cases between 1966 and 2015; in 2018 alone, more than 20 individuals and entities were charged.
During the first Trump and Biden administrations, many targeted were close Trump allies, but Democrats like Rep. Henry Cuellar, Sen. Bob Menendez, and former staffer Linda Sun also faced investigations.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi narrowed FARA enforcement in 2025, citing weaponization under Biden.
NSPM-7 is a Trump administration directive ordering federal agencies to investigate domestic terrorism and political violence, including potential FARA violations.
The ACLU criticized the memo for potentially targeting constitutionally protected expression.
Legal expert Jason Torchinsky said FARA is a powerful but difficult tool, suggesting other statutes like OFAC sanctions or wire fraud could be used.
The DOJ, Treasury Department, and Code PINK did not respond to requests for comment.
Open questions
The article does not specify which specific left-wing activist networks are being targeted or whether any new FARA investigations have been launched.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Hans von Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom
Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch
Jason Torchinsky, partner at Holtzman Vogel
Zack Smith, senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL)
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi
Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, Rep. Henry Cuellar, Sen. Bob Menendez, Linda Sun, Rudy Giuliani, Stephen Wynn, Tom Barrack (mentioned as figures in past investigations)
Sources: foxnews.com
