President Donald Trump on Friday said his administration would investigate billionaire George Soros and members of his family for possible racketeering charges, escalating long-running accusations that Soros bankrolls protests and unrest across the United States.
“We’re going to look into Soros,” Trump told Fox & Friends. “Because I think it’s a RICO case against him and other people.”
RICO — the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — is a federal law typically used to prosecute organized crime, targeting individuals who participate in ongoing criminal enterprises.
“Because this is more than like protests,” Trump continued. “This is real agitation. This is riots on the street. And we’re going to look into it.” He alleged that protesters “get paid for their profession from Soros and other people.”
The remarks mark the strongest public signal yet that Trump intends to bring the weight of federal law enforcement against Soros, a longtime Democratic donor and frequent target of conservatives who accuse him of quietly funding left-wing causes.
Trump previously floated the idea of such charges on Truth Social, writing:
“George Soros, and his wonderful Radical Left son, should be charged with RICO because of their support of Violent Protests, and much more, all throughout the United States of America. We’re not going to allow these lunatics to rip apart America any more, never giving it so much as a chance to ‘BREATHE,’ and be FREE. Soros, and his group of psychopaths, have caused great damage to our Country! That includes his Crazy, West Coast friends. Be careful, we’re watching you!”
The Open Society Foundations, Soros’ philanthropic network, has denied the allegations. In an August statement, the group said it does “not support or fund violent protests,” calling threats of prosecution “outrageous.”
Trump tied the proposed investigation to the aftermath of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this week at Utah Valley University, calling the killing “political violence at its worst.” Kirk, 31, was shot during a campus speaking event before a crowd of thousands.
“My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it,” Trump said in a video statement Wednesday.
The president has long criticized what he calls a “professional protest movement” funded by wealthy left-wing donors. During his first term, Trump repeatedly clashed with hard left advocacy groups he accused of supporting unrest in major cities. His Justice Department occasionally examined protest organizations but rarely pursued cases under racketeering statutes.
RICO is generally used to prosecute organized crime syndicates, gangs, and corrupt businesses. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must demonstrate a pattern of criminal activity connected to an enterprise.
Trump allies have argued that if violent actors are being supported by financial networks, RICO may be the appropriate tool to investigate those connections.
The move comes as Trump has increasingly emphasized a law-and-order message heading into the 2026 midterm election cycle, pointing to violent crime in cities and accusing Democratic donors and officials of fueling unrest.
Soros, 94, has been a frequent Republican target for decades, since he has financed soft-on-crime prosecutors, radical advocacy groups, and left-wing ballot initiatives. His son Alex Soros now chairs the Open Society Foundations and has taken on a more visible role in Democratic politics.
The renewed focus on Soros reflects how the White House is moving quickly after Kirk’s assassination to tie the incident into a broader crackdown on what Trump calls “political violence networks.”
Asked about the president’s comments Friday, a Justice Department spokesperson declined to confirm whether any investigation into Soros or his organizations is underway.