My neighbor and I had a very heated discussion about NSPM-7 and what it is actually doing. He relies on information from pundits who claim that now we are all marked as "domestic terrorists" and on some government "watchlist". This is simply untrue.
What the pundits fail to do is to read the opening paragraphs that explain why the document is being written. In this case, it is to target organizations that engage in political violence and those who fund or support such organizations. Violence of any kind is already illegal, so the purpose is to identify the funding source.
NSPM-7, like any Executive Order, is not a law. It applies only to Executive Branch agencies of the government, not to private citizens.
Organizations do not have rights the way that private citizens do. So voicing your opinion, marching peacefully in protests, and even making and posting YouTube videos are not illegal. It is a protected First Amendment activity.
The full text of the NSPM-7 can be found here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/ 🔗What does it say its intent is?
The United States requires a national strategy to investigate and disrupt networks, entities, and organizations that foment political violence so that law enforcement can intervene in criminal conspiracies before they result in violent political acts. Through this comprehensive strategy, law enforcement will disband and uproot networks, entities, and organizations that promote organized violence, violent intimidation, conspiracies against rights, and other efforts to disrupt the functioning of a democratic society.Law enforcement agencies at all levels already do this.
Read the statement from the American Civil Liberties Union:
https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/how-nspm-7-seeks-to-use-domestic-terrorism-to-target-nonprofits-and-activists 🔗The president cannot rewrite the Constitution by memo or otherwise. No matter what the president says or tries to do through NSPM-7, the First Amendment constrains what federal agencies can do when it comes to punishing groups and people for exercising their rights to free speech, peaceful protest, and supporting causes by making donations. It also safeguards against viewpoint-based government discrimination, coercion, and retaliation.
If any U.S. group or person is investigated or prosecuted, the Constitution guarantees the right to due process—requiring notice and a meaningful opportunity to challenge wrongful government conduct. And if, for example, a particular group or organization is targeted based on protected characteristics—race, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity—the right to equal protection under the laws and other rights would apply. Under the 14th Amendment, these due process and equal protection rights also apply to federal and state agencies' actions against tax-exempt nonprofits.
In short, no president—of any party—should have the power to punish nonprofit organizations and activists simply because he disagrees with them. Sadly, however, the government using intimidation tactics against those standing up for human rights and civil liberties is not new in this country's history.-------------------------
Know your rights.
