Trump Weaponizes RICO Law Against Soros in Political Power Play

President Donald Trump has escalated legal threats against billionaire philanthropist George Soros and his son, urging federal prosecutors to pursue charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act for their alleged support of violent protests. The remarks, posted on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, are part of a broader pattern of the president leveraging the power of the Justice Department against political adversaries and critics. Trump asserted that Soros and his “Radical Left son” should be held accountable for their purported role in funding unrest across the United States, a claim widely disputed and lacking evidence.

George Soros, a major donor to liberal causes and the Democratic Party, has long been a target of right-wing conspiracy theories. Trump’s rhetoric aligns with narratives previously echoed by leaders such as Hungary’s Viktor Orban and India’s Narendra Modi, who have also accused Soros of orchestrating political instability in their respective countries. In the U.S., Trump has repeatedly linked Soros to protests, including those against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. The president’s allegations are not new but have intensified in recent weeks as part of a broader strategy to assert executive power over investigations into political opponents.

The Open Society Foundations, the nonprofit organization founded by Soros, has strongly condemned Trump’s accusations as “outrageous and false.” In a statement, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to advancing human rights and democratic principles. A spokesperson for the group emphasized that its activities do not include the funding of violent demonstrations, countering the baseless claims made by the president. This response follows similar criticisms from other political figures and institutions, including the former Biden administration, which awarded Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom before leaving office.

Trump’s threats against Soros come amid a series of legal and political maneuvers targeting critics, including former allies such as John Bolton and Chris Christie. Federal agents recently conducted a search at Bolton’s Maryland home, while U.S. Senator Adam Schiff has formed a legal defense fund in response to a Justice Department probe into his financial dealings. The Department of Justice has not commented on whether formal charges are being considered against Soros, with a spokesperson only referring to its guidelines on disclosing information about ongoing investigations.

Critics argue that Trump’s actions risk undermining the independence of the federal judiciary and the integrity of the U.S. legal system. Analysts have noted that using RICO, typically reserved for organized crime, to pursue political opponents is an unprecedented and controversial application of the law. While no charges have been filed against Soros to date, the president’s escalating rhetoric has raised concerns about the potential for abuse of executive power and the politicization of federal agencies.

Source: [1] Trump calls for George Soros and son to face federal charges (https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/27/trump-george-soros-investigation-threat-00530314) [2] Trump threatens charges for George Soros, frequent target of far-right ire (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/27/trump-threatens-charges-for-george-soros-frequent-target-of-far-right-ire)