Editor’s notes: Remarks by CHN’s Executive Director Deborah Weinstein on the threatened crackdown on political opponents as perceived by the Trump administration, delivered to human needs advocates at the Wednesday Advocates Meeting, September 17.

President Trump is expected to issue an executive order to combat political violence and hate speech that could come as soon as this week. Based on what officials have said, seizing on the despicable murder of Charlie Kirk, there may be attacks on organizations that are seen as opponents of the president. There could be attempts to take away tax-exempt status by labeling groups as terrorist organizations. These will be baseless, but the threats and government actions will add to the climate of fear and impose real costs – litigation and potential or actual loss of funding.  

The Coalition on Human Needs is small, but the human needs community is large. One thing is clear: we must stand together. We are facing unprecedented attacks on our democratic rights to advocate to meet the needs of all of our people. We must stand together to defend those rights, to insist upon them. All of us must be open to participating in the full range of actions our Constitution and laws provide for, and that people before us fought for. That includes all the work we do together – the letters we sign, the visits with Congress, the public statements we make, the facts we bring to public attention, the participation in mass events like the upcoming October 18 No Kings Day. Some of this may put us out of our comfort zone, but all of you, all of us together, know there are few comforts for far too many of our neighbors. 

It is our right and our responsibility to stand against the abhorrent violence that afflicts us, to cry out against the suffering it inflicts, and it is our right and privilege to demand a government that provides help to those that need it. So, with gratitude for our coming together, let’s get down to our work. 

An Open Letter Opposing Threats by the Administration Against Nonprofits & Charities being circulated by Public Citizen and the National Council of Nonprofits, deadline September 18: You can read and sign the letter here.