Key facts
- Donald Trump is using foreign influence laws against left-wing activist networks.
- These networks are accused of benefiting from overseas money and support.
- FARA requires disclosure of relationships, activities, and funding for those acting on behalf of foreign governments.
- Criminal prosecutions related to FARA have become more common since 2016.
- Conservatives feel FARA was unfairly used against Trump allies in the past.
President Donald Trump is reportedly shifting the application of foreign-influence laws, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), to target left-wing activist networks accused of receiving foreign funding. This move repurposes laws that were previously used against individuals associated with Trump's campaigns, such as Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn. Legal experts suggest this strategy could become a significant tool in Trump's campaign against these groups, while conservatives argue that FARA has been historically misused as a political weapon.