Trump Officials Target Environmental Groups Before Earth Day: Will It Affect Other Nonprofits?

Trump administration is preparing executive orders that would strip some environmental non-profits of their tax-exempt status. This announcement, targeting green organisations challenging Trump’s push for oil, gas and coal production, could be made around Earth Day, according to Bloomberg.

The move comes alongside other administration steps to use the US tax code or government funding to target environmental groups that challenge the US President’s agenda. It also follows years of criticism by congressional Republicans who have accused green groups and other advocacy organsations of having ties to foreign governments, particularly receiving funding from countries like China.

Expanded Crackdown on Nonprofits

According to Bloomberg, the White House is considering even bigger actions including investigating the activities of environmental nonprofits. They are also contemplating changing rules to limit funding for international charities that are treated as US nonprofits. Additionally, the Trump administration intends to expand the crackdown to not only environmental organisations but also nonprofits working on other issues, as well as philanthropic organisations and foundations.

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a leading ethics group in Washington, has often investigated Trump as the subject of its probes, according to Associated Press.

Before 2024 election, CREW played an important role in disqualifying Trump from regaining the White House under the 14th Amendment, because of his role in the Capitol riot that took place on January 6, 2021. More recently, the group sued Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency over the firing of federal workers, reported Associated Press.

“For more than 20 years, CREW has exposed government corruption from politicians of both parties who violate the public trust and has worked to promote an ethical, transparent government,” Jordan Libowitz, the organisation’s vice president, told Associated Press.

Trump’s attacks on civil society have intimidated these groups. However, as reported by Associated Press, his attacks have not always been effective.