1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern about National Security Presidential Memorandum–7 (NSPM‑7), titled “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence,” signed on September 25, 2025. While countering political violence is important, this directive raises serious constitutional and civil liberties concerns that require immediate Congressional oversight.   NSPM‑7 directs federal agencies—including DOJ, DHS, and Treasury—to investigate and disrupt groups and individuals involved in “domestic terrorism,” identifying ideology-linked “indicators” such as “anti-capitalist,” “anti-Christian,” and “anti-American” sentiment. Such vague, politically charged terms risk targeting lawful protest, criticism, and dissent protected by the First Amendment.   Shortly after NSPM‑7’s release, the DOJ indicted Cameron Arnold and Zachary Evetts for attacking a Texas detention facility on July 4. Prosecutors described them as members of an “Antifa cell” and charged them with terrorism-related offenses, including material support to terrorists. The indictment characterizes the group as a “militant enterprise” with “revolutionary anarchist or autonomous Marxist ideology”—conflating philosophies that are historically distinct and often incompatible. To be clear, the charges appear to rely on existing statutes and authorities, not laws newly created by NSPM‑7. But this is reportedly the first time such charges have been applied in the context of alleged Antifa affiliation, and the ideological framing reflects the language of the memo. This creates serious concerns about how NSPM‑7 is influencing federal law enforcement priorities.   Presidents cannot unilaterally define domestic threats based on ideology. Congress must ensure that national security directives do not erode constitutional rights or weaponize vague ideological categories to target dissent.   I respectfully urge you to:   1.         Hold public hearings on NSPM‑7’s scope, legal basis, and implementation; 2.         Request unclassified briefings from DOJ on how the memo is guiding terrorism prosecutions; 3.         Clarify via legislation that ideology alone may not serve as the basis for federal criminal targeting; 4.         Reassert Congressional authority over presidential memoranda affecting Americans’ rights.   Protecting national security is essential, but so is protecting our democracy. NSPM‑7 warrants your urgent scrutiny before it sets a dangerous precedent.