SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is at the forefront of a coalition comprising 11 state attorneys general, issuing a united statement that vehemently denounces President Donald Trump’s recent initiatives aimed at targeting nonprofits based on their political or ideological stances.
This statement is a direct reaction to a memorandum released on September 25 by Trump, which instructs the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and possibly prosecute nonprofit organizations, charities, and their supporters who back causes that his administration opposes. The memo, presented as a measure against alleged “political violence,” specifically identified groups such as the Open Society Foundations, which Trump labeled as a “likely candidate” for legal action.
Ellison, along with his fellow attorneys general, condemned the memo as a “gross violation” of First Amendment rights, characterizing it as an effort to suppress dissenting opinions under the pretext of national security.
“Any attempt to target nonprofits for simply fulfilling their missions, no matter their beliefs or worldview, is a gross violation of their and all Americans’ First Amendment rights,” the statement read.
The coalition highlighted that the rights to free speech and assembly — safeguarded by the U.S. Constitution for over two hundred years — are fundamental to American democracy and frequently demonstrated through participation in nonprofit and charitable organizations.
They cautioned that Trump’s directive represents not just an unconstitutional infringement on these rights but also a violation of donor intent, which is safeguarded by state law. As the regulators of nonprofits within their states, the attorneys general committed to opposing attempts to “weaponize the government” against legitimate organizations.
“Our message to the nonprofits and charities we oversee is: You keep fulfilling your missions, and we will keep fighting against attempts to suppress your legitimate activities and constitutional freedoms.”
In Minnesota, Ellison’s office is responsible for overseeing approximately 15,000 registered charities and charitable trusts, which together employ around 380,000 individuals, accounting for one-eighth of the state’s workforce.
Joining Ellison in the joint statement were the attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington.
The attorneys general perceive Trump’s recent memo as part of a larger trend of antagonism towards nonprofits, especially those that advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or that offer services to immigrants and refugees. They cited previous actions by Trump to:
- Threaten the revocation of tax-exempt status for universities and nonprofits critical of his administration
- Issue executive orders undermining organizations promoting racial and social justice
- Remove public-service nonprofits from student loan forgiveness programs
The statement echoes the worries expressed by the National Council of Nonprofits, which has also denounced Trump’s actions, alongside over 3,700 nonprofits across the country that have endorsed an open letter against the assaults.
The attorneys general wrapped up their statement by reiterating their dedication to safeguarding the rights of nonprofits and upholding the principles of free expression and association.
“In a country founded on the right to hold different opinions than the king, the President’s shameless attempt to punish nonprofits who may not co-sign his extremist agenda is deeply un-American.”
