US civic freedoms drop to “obstructed” after crackdown
Civicus, a nonprofit tracking civic space in 198 countries, noted a “sharp deterioration of fundamental freedoms in the country … following a year of sweeping executive actions, restrictive laws and aggressive crackdowns on free speech and dissent.” The downgrade comes just months after the organization had temporarily upgraded the US rating in July.
An “obstructed” rating indicates that civic space is heavily contested, with authorities undermining civil society through surveillance, harassment, and hostile rhetoric. “Citizens can organise and assemble peacefully but they are vulnerable to frequent use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies, including rubber bullets, tear gas and baton charges,” the report stated, highlighting militarized responses to protests, including National Guard deployments in cities such as Los Angeles.
The report also raised concerns over pressure on media and universities, citing investigations into Palestinian solidarity activism and measures targeting journalists and broadcasters. “These actions, combined with efforts to sideline critical outlets from core government functions and foreign travel, reflect a systematic attempt to dominate the media landscape and silence independent journalism,” Civicus said.
Civicus Secretary General Mandeep Tiwana described the findings as “truly alarming,” warning that the US is witnessing “a rapid and systematic attempt to stifle civic freedoms that Americans have come to take for granted, such as critiquing authorities and protesting peacefully.”
With this new classification, the US joins 39 other countries rated as “obstructed” in 2025, including Hungary, Brazil, and South Africa.
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