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5mo ago

Trump Threatens to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status of Watchdog Group CREW

The president's remarks escalate his campaign of retribution against critics, raising legal concerns over potential misuse of federal powers.

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a swearing-in ceremony for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on on the day he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 17, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Overview

  • Donald Trump publicly threatened to strip nonprofit watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) of its tax-exempt status.
  • CREW has long been a legal opponent of Trump, filing lawsuits over emoluments clause violations, Presidential Records Act compliance, and constitutional issues.
  • Legal experts warn that directing the IRS to target a specific organization could violate federal law, potentially carrying criminal penalties.
  • Trump's latest remarks are part of a broader strategy to punish critics, including targeting law firms, universities, and media outlets through executive actions.
  • Civil society groups have condemned the threat, emphasizing the importance of protecting nonprofits' rights to advocate without fear of government retaliation.