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“NSPM-7” refers to National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, a directive signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025, entitled “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.”

Here’s a breakdown of what it does, what the implications are, and what the controversies entail:

What NSPM-7 Does

1. Expands the Focus on Domestic Political ViolenceThe memo states that recent assassinations, riots, threats, and property destruction are part of organized campaigns of political violence intended to “silence opposing speech, limit political activity, change or direct policy outcomes, and prevent the functioning of a democratic society.”
2. Directs Agencies to Investigate and Disrupt
   • The Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs), and other law enforcement agencies, are ordered to investigate, prosecute, and disrupt networks, individuals, and organizations connected to “political violence and intimidation.”
   • It instructs agencies to look into funders, officers, employees, and donors of such organizations who “aid or abet” wrongdoing.
3. Financial and Tax Measures
   • The Treasury Department is tasked with identifying and disrupting financial networks that fund political violence, and directing financial institutions to report suspicious activity.
   • The IRS is instructed to ensure that tax-exempt entities do not directly or indirectly finance political violence, and to refer such entities or their employees to the Department of Justice for possible legal action.
4. Designation of Domestic Terrorist Organizations
   The memo authorizes the Attorney General to recommend that groups or entities meeting certain criteria be designated as “domestic terrorist organizations.”
5. Legal and Priority Adjustments
   • It declares domestic terrorism a “National Priority Area”, meaning resources and grants may be allocated accordingly.
   • It also instructs that investigations should draw upon statutes already in law (e.g. conspiracy, money laundering, aiding terrorism, etc.).
6. Scope of “Political Violence”NSPM-7 includes behaviors like organized doxing, swatting, civil disorder, rioting, property destruction, threats of violence among the acts to be considered under the banner of political violence or terrorism.
7. Citational Clauses & Legal Guardrails
   • The memo states it should be implemented consistent with applicable law and does not itself create enforceable rights or causes of action.
   • It clarifies that it does not alter the authority or functions of existing executive departments beyond what is lawful.

Key Concerns & Criticisms

• First Amendment / Free Speech Risks
  Critics argue the definitions and indicators (e.g. “anti-capitalism,” “anti-Americanism,” “anti-Christianity”) are vague and broad enough to sweep in dissent, protest, and political advocacy.The ACLU, for instance, says this memorandum could be used to “target non-profits, activists, and their donors … using vague and overbroad labels of ‘terrorism’ and ‘conspiracy against rights.’”
• Symbolic vs. Substantive Power
  Some analysts note that although the memo leverages strong rhetoric, »federal law already defines “domestic terrorism,” but Congress has not attached many new consequences to that label. Thus, merely labeling a group domestic terrorists does not, by itself, confer new criminal or civil powers.
• Tax-Exempt and Nonprofit Risks
  Because the memo directs scrutiny toward tax-exempt organizations’ involvement in funding or supporting key actions, nonprofits and advocacy groups worry they could lose tax status or face referrals to criminal investigation.
• Execution & Oversight Unclear
  The memo leaves many implementation details to subsequent agency guidance. Exactly how agencies will interpret “aid or abet,” or differentiate between protected speech and violent acts, remains to be seen—and might be litigated.
• Chilling Effect on Political Activity
  Because of the possibility of investigation or punitive measures, some groups or individuals might self-censor or reduce lawful political expression to avoid risk.

I found that “anti-capitalism,” “anti-Americanism,” and “anti-Christianity” do in fact appear in NSPM-7 (in the publicly released version), though not in the U.S. Code. They are included in the “motivations / indicia” language in the White House text of NSPM-7. The White House

Here is the relevant passage from NSPM-7:

“Common threads animating this violent conduct include anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; extremism on migration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality.” The White House

So:

• They are not part of 18 U.S.C. § 2331 or the terrorism statutes.

• They are part of the policy language in NSPM-7, used as examples of “threads animating … violent conduct.” The White House