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Trump Orders Probe of Liberal Groups Amid Backlash

9/26/2025

32 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Trump signs a memorandum directing federal law enforcement to probe liberal groups for domestic terrorism.
The National Joint Terrorism Task Force will coordinate funding-source probes, naming James Comey and Letitia James.
A Pentagon memo restricting journalists' access spurs backlash on press freedom.
Arizona's special election could prompt a vote on Epstein files; Rep. Adelita Grijalva supports the bipartisan petition.

History

Historical Context

The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 expanded federal powers to combat domestic terrorism, empowering agencies like the FBI to investigate perceived threats. This trend continued with Donald Trump's administration, which issued executive orders targeting specific groups under national security pretenses, raising concerns about civil liberties and echoing historical tensions between government authority and individual rights.

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Story summary

Trump signs a memorandum directing federal law enforcement to probe liberal groups for domestic terrorism.
The National Joint Terrorism Task Force will coordinate funding-source probes, naming James Comey and Letitia James.
A Pentagon memo restricting journalists' access spurs backlash on press freedom.
Arizona's special election could prompt a vote on Epstein files; Rep. Adelita Grijalva supports the bipartisan petition.

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