US on international watchlist for rapid decline in civic freedoms
What's the story
The United States has been added to the Civicus Monitor Watchlist, which identifies countries that are currently experiencing a rapid decline in civic freedoms.
The announcement was made by Civicus, an international non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world.
The US joins the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia on the watchlist.
Watchlist details
US joins list of countries with declining civic freedoms
The Civicus Monitor tracks developments in civic freedoms across 198 countries.
Zimbabwe, Argentina, El Salvador, and the United Arab Emirates have appeared on this watchlist in recent years.
Mandeep Tiwana, co-secretary general of Civicus, said the watchlist specifically concentrates on nations where there are concerns about deteriorating conditions of civic space in relation to freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression.
Reason for inclusion
US's inclusion in watchlist linked to Trump administration
The US was placed on the 2025 watchlist due to what Civicus called the "Trump administration's assault on democratic norms."
The organization noted recent actions taken by the administration they argue will "severely impact constitutional freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression, and association."
These actions include the mass termination of federal employees, the appointment of Trump loyalists in key government positions, and the withdrawal from international efforts such as the World Health Organization and the UN Human Rights Council.
Global concerns
Civicus warns of potential global impact on civic freedoms
Civicus warned that these decisions "will likely impact civic freedoms and reverse hard-won human rights gains around the world."
It highlighted the administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters and its unprecedented decision to control media access to presidential briefings.
Tiwana described Trump's actions since taking office as an "unparalleled attack on the rule of law" not seen "since the days of McCarthyism in the 20th century," stating that these moves erode the checks and balances essential to democracy.
Rating and history
US's current civic space rating and historical context
Currently, the US has a "narrowed" rating from Civicus, which it also had during the Biden administration.
This means occasional violations occur even though citizens can exercise their civic freedoms, such as rights to association, peaceful assembly, and expression.
Tiwana noted that during part of Trump's first term, the US was labeled as "obstructed" due to the administration's handling of Black Lives Matter protests and laws limiting environmental justice protesters' rights.
Call to action
Tiwana urges US to uphold rule of law
Tiwana has urged the United States "to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional and international human rights norms."
He says that the recent actions and statements made by this US administration could empower authoritarian regimes around the world, undermine constitutional principles, and embolden those who "want to accumulate power and increase their wealth and their ability to stay in power for as long as possible."