CIVICUS Places US on Watchlist Amid Global Democracy Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The global nonprofit CIVICUS has added the United States to its Watchlist of countries with deteriorating civic freedoms due to what it describes as a concerted assault on democratic norms by President Donald Trump’s administration. This announcement was made on Sunday as part of CIVICUS’s first watchlist for 2025, which includes other nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia.

The organization’s decision stems from a wave of executive actions by the Trump administration that have resulted in significant alterations to key governmental institutions. Mandeep Tiwana, Interim Co-Secretary General of CIVICUS, characterized the current state of affairs as an “unparalleled attack on the rule of law in the United States, not seen since the days of McCarthyism.” He stated, “Restrictive executive orders, unjustifiable institutional cutbacks, and intimidation tactics are creating an atmosphere intended to chill democratic dissent.”

CIVICUS outlines that the U.S. has been classified as having “narrowed” civic space, indicating that rights such as peaceful assembly, expression, and association are exercised but often infracted upon. This classification follows a downgrade from “open” to “obstructed” amid the administration’s violent suppression of mass protests in 2020.

The organization’s Watchlist highlights concerns surrounding arbitrary measures taken by the administration, particularly regarding mass firings, the installation of loyalists within crucial institutions like the Justice Department and the FBI, and significant pullbacks from international cooperation, including exits from the World Health Organization and the UN Human Rights Council.

Tiwana warned that these executive actions are likely to reverse hard-won human rights gains globally, stating, “The arbitrary freezing of federal funding and foreign aid jeopardizes civil society.” He referred to instances where federal funds have been cut, jeopardizing the work of organizations serving marginalized communities.

Legislation is also being introduced in various states to further restrict protest activities, with measures such as criminalizing the use of masks at demonstrations coming to the forefront. “Continued crackdowns on protest movements are concerning,” Tiwana added.

The White House has faced criticism for its control over media access, with journalists from organizations like the Associated Press reported barred from attending press briefings. “This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States,” remarked the White House Correspondents’ Association in response to the actions limiting access to credentialed reporters.

Amid these challenges, Tiwana insists the need for the United States to uphold constitutional and international human rights norms is critical. “Americans across the political spectrum are appalled by the undemocratic actions of the current administration,” he declared.

As the situation continues to develop, the implications of the U.S.’s reclassification are being closely monitored, particularly as civic freedoms form a cornerstone of democratic society. On the CIVICUS Monitor, there are currently 42 other countries classified with similar “narrowed” civic freedoms, drawing attention to the global context of the issue.