WASHINGTON, D.C. — An international watchdog that tracks civic freedoms across the globe has downgraded the United States’ rating, citing a surge in restrictions on expression, assembly, and association under President Donald Trump. The organization, Civicus, now classifies the U.S. as “obstructed,” a step below its previous “narrowed” status, according to the group’s latest report.
Civicus evaluates civic space in 198 countries and says an “obstructed” rating indicates a society where people can still organize and protest, but face a heightened risk of police violence, intimidation, and legal repercussions. The downgrade follows a year marked by deployments of National Guard forces to protests, expanded immigration-enforcement involvement in crowd control, and increased pressure on journalists. The report also highlights crackdowns on pro-Palestinian students and academics, including arrests, visa revocations, and investigations tied to campus activism.
The group attributes much of the shift to Trump’s return to the White House, saying he has “triggered a wave of measures undermining democratic institutions and civic freedoms.” Civicus Secretary General Mandeep Tiwana warned of “rapid and systematic attempts to stifle civic freedoms” that Americans have long considered foundational rights. Prior reports from Civicus have also criticized Trump administration directives targeting so-called “antifa” groups despite lack of supporting evidence.
The downgrade places the U.S. closer to countries classified as “repressed,” underscoring mounting concerns about protest rights, press freedom, and government retaliation against dissent.
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Civicus – Unrated
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