Statement on Presidential Memorandum on 'Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence'

Statement on Presidential Memorandum on "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence"

WASHINGTON-Yesterday, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum titled "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence." The memo calls for a new law enforcement strategy to address political violence and domestic terrorism. The following statement is attributable to Kathleen Enright, President and CEO of the Council on Foundations.

As a national membership association with 1000+ members, there's not much on which we can all agree. However, we are united in this: Funding political violence is illegal and certainly not charitable. We hope and expect that any organization breaking the law will face consequences. And yet we must be clear: Those that work within the bounds of the law must be allowed to operate freely and without intimidation. The First Amendment protects the right to give in line with our individual values as a form of speech, even if the causes we support differ from the priorities of political leaders. That is not a flaw in the system - that is a free and fair society working as it should.