Mon Mar 10 20:50:00 UTC 2025: ## US Added to Global Watchlist for Civil Liberties Concerns Under Trump

**Washington, D.C.** – The United States has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist, a global civil liberties tracker, due to concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and freedoms under President Donald Trump’s administration. The designation, announced Sunday, places the U.S. in the “narrowed” category, indicating that while most citizens can exercise their rights, government actions are increasingly undermining them.

CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society groups, cited several key factors contributing to the downgrade. These include President Trump’s sweeping cuts to foreign aid, his crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and what the organization describes as an “assault on democratic norms and global cooperation.” The organization also highlighted the administration’s use of restrictive executive orders and intimidation tactics against dissenters.

“The Trump Administration seems hellbent on dismantling the system of checks and balances,” said Mandeep Tiwana, Interim Co-Secretary General of CIVICUS. The report points to a chilling effect on democratic dissent, a cornerstone of American ideals.

The concerns are compounded by recent actions affecting the press. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched an investigation into NPR and PBS, while Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos directed the Washington Post to prioritize viewpoints supporting personal liberties and free markets. Furthermore, the White House announced it will now select reporters for the press pool, a move heavily criticized by journalism advocates as undermining press independence. A lawsuit by the Associated Press against Trump administration officials is also ongoing, stemming from the denial of White House briefings over editorial disagreements.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment. The CIVICUS designation joins other countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia on the watchlist, raising significant questions about the state of civil liberties in the United States under the current administration.

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