George Soros group pledges $300m to US economic security and civil liberties

Key points

• For decades, the Open Society Foundations have worked to advance justice and human rights in Africa, the Middle East and trouble spots around the world.
• But the OSF’s latest major investment is aimed at a crisis closer to home.
• On Tuesday, the organisation, founded by the billionaire philanthropist George Soros and headquartered in New York, announced a $300m spend aimed at boosting economic security and defending civil liberties in the US.
• The drastic commitment comes 16 months into Donald Trump’s second term as president, with millions of Americans suffering an affordability crisis and activists warning of an extraordinary attack on the rule of law.
• “We certainly believe that civil society is essential and must stay on the playing field,” said Laleh Ispahani, managing director for the US at the OSF.