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In a determined move against what he calls \u201castroturfed chaos,\u201d Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has renewed his efforts to pass the Stop Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (Stop FUNDERs) Act. The legislation directly targets billionaire philanthropist George Soros and his network, alleging that they are funding a wave of anti-Trump protests across the country. Originally introduced in July, the bill has gained renewed urgency amid the high-profile \u201cNo Kings\u201d rallies. It proposes amending the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to designate the funding of violent or coordinated riots as a predicate offense, potentially triggering federal prosecutions, asset seizures, and immediate freezes on accounts of implicated donors and organizations.<\/p>\n
Cruz, appearing on Fox News to outline what he calls the \u201cevidence\u201d of Soros\u2019 involvement, stated on X: \u201cThere\u2019s considerable evidence that George Soros and his network are funding the \u2018No Kings\u2019 rallies. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve introduced the Stop FUNDERs Act. It empowers law enforcement to hold those financing acts of political violence accountable.\u201d On his podcast, <\/p>\n
The Stop FUNDERs Act would enhance the Department of Justice\u2019s enforcement tools by adding \u201crioting\u201d under the federal Anti-Riot Act to RICO\u2019s list of racketeering crimes. This would allow prosecutors to pursue joint liability against funders, press conspiracy charges, and seize assets mid-operation\u2014effectively turning funding into potential evidence of criminal activity. Supporters, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), hail the bill as a necessary defense against \u201cradical left-wing groups that sponsor violence, coordinate attacks on law enforcement, and drive property destruction.\u201d Heritage Action\u2019s Steve Chartan added, \u201cThis legislation targets the financiers of riots, while still safeguarding the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters.\u201d<\/p>\n
George Soros, the Hungarian-born investor who has donated over $32 billion to progressive causes worldwide, has long been a focus of conservative criticism. Critics, including former President Trump, have accused him of funding everything from campus unrest to anti-ICE demonstrations and now the \u201cNo Kings\u201d protests against Trump\u2019s potential second-term agenda. Cruz emphasized on <\/p>\n
The timing is critical, as \u201cNo Kings\u201d organizers\u2014labeled by Cruz as \u201cSoros operatives\u201d\u2014prepare for nationwide protests this Saturday, prompting heightened security at protest sites. Conservative media outlets such as Fox News and Townhall have amplified Cruz\u2019s narrative, citing analyses that, while finding no direct evidence of Soros funding illegal activity, reveal indirect financial links to activist hubs. On X, #StopFUNDERs is trending, with users sharing Cruz\u2019s statements and memes dubbing Soros the \u201cpuppet master of chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n
Democrats have pushed back strongly. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a participant in the protests, criticized the bill as \u201cMcCarthyite overreach\u201d designed to \u201cchill free speech.\u201d The ACLU warned that the legislation \u201cdangerously lowers the threshold for government scrutiny of peaceful demonstrations,\u201d potentially ensnaring ordinary donors. The Open Society Foundations denied the claims, stating, \u201cNeither George Soros nor our foundations fund or condone protests or violence in any way.\u201d Progressive commentators on X have described the bill as a \u201cfascist fantasy,\u201d noting that even nonviolent demonstrations could theoretically come under scrutiny given the legislation\u2019s broad language.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, with Republicans controlling the Senate and a supportive DOJ under Attorney General Pam Bondi, passage appears plausible. Trump has floated similar RICO strategies targeting left-wing groups, and insiders report potential IRS audits of Soros-linked entities. If enacted, the legislation could extend beyond protests, potentially freezing assets tied to claims of election interference or border unrest. A GOP strategist summarized, \u201cThis isn\u2019t just about Soros\u2014it\u2019s about national sovereignty. No foreign billionaire should be able to influence America\u2019s streets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruz\u2019s initiative taps into widespread public frustration. Recent polling shows that 58% of Americans believe that big-money donations distort activism. From Texas to the heartland, constituents are rallying behind Cruz\u2019s call to \u201cdrain the funders\u2019 swamp.\u201d Whether the bill will curb Soros\u2019 influence immediately or spark a constitutional debate on free speech remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Ted Cruz has made a bold move that is reverberating through Washington.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a determined move against what he calls \u201castroturfed chaos,\u201d Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has renewed his efforts to pass the Stop Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (Stop FUNDERs)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t