In a determined move against what he calls “astroturfed chaos,” Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has renewed his efforts to pass the Stop Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (Stop FUNDERs) Act. The legislation directly targets billionaire philanthropist George Soros and his network, alleging that they are funding a wave of anti-Trump protests across the country. Originally introduced in July, the bill has gained renewed urgency amid the high-profile “No Kings” rallies. It proposes amending the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to designate the funding of violent or coordinated riots as a predicate offense, potentially triggering federal prosecutions, asset seizures, and immediate freezes on accounts of implicated donors and organizations.

Cruz, appearing on Fox News to outline what he calls the “evidence” of Soros’ involvement, stated on X: “There’s considerable evidence that George Soros and his network are funding the ‘No Kings’ rallies. That’s why I’ve introduced the Stop FUNDERs Act. It empowers law enforcement to hold those financing acts of political violence accountable.” On his podcast, Verdict with Ted Cruz, he detailed a funding trail showing that Soros’ Open Society Foundations have directed over $7.6 million to Indivisible—the grassroots organization behind the “No Kings” events—since 2017, including a $3 million grant in 2023 for “social welfare activities.” Public IRS filings indicate that Indivisible manages participant data and coordinates logistics for protests expected to attract millions across 2,500 locations nationwide.

The Stop FUNDERs Act would enhance the Department of Justice’s enforcement tools by adding “rioting” under the federal Anti-Riot Act to RICO’s list of racketeering crimes. This would allow prosecutors to pursue joint liability against funders, press conspiracy charges, and seize assets mid-operation—effectively turning funding into potential evidence of criminal activity. Supporters, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), hail the bill as a necessary defense against “radical left-wing groups that sponsor violence, coordinate attacks on law enforcement, and drive property destruction.” Heritage Action’s Steve Chartan added, “This legislation targets the financiers of riots, while still safeguarding the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters.”

George Soros, the Hungarian-born investor who has donated over $32 billion to progressive causes worldwide, has long been a focus of conservative criticism. Critics, including former President Trump, have accused him of funding everything from campus unrest to anti-ICE demonstrations and now the “No Kings” protests against Trump’s potential second-term agenda. Cruz emphasized on Hannity, “Follow the money. Cut off the money,” warning that without such measures, “fake” rallies could escalate into violence reminiscent of the 2020 summer unrest. FBI Director Kash Patel, in a recent Senate hearing, voiced support for the bill, noting that it would give agents the tools to dismantle funding networks behind political violence.

The timing is critical, as “No Kings” organizers—labeled by Cruz as “Soros operatives”—prepare for nationwide protests this Saturday, prompting heightened security at protest sites. Conservative media outlets such as Fox News and Townhall have amplified Cruz’s narrative, citing analyses that, while finding no direct evidence of Soros funding illegal activity, reveal indirect financial links to activist hubs. On X, #StopFUNDERs is trending, with users sharing Cruz’s statements and memes dubbing Soros the “puppet master of chaos.”

Democrats have pushed back strongly. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a participant in the protests, criticized the bill as “McCarthyite overreach” designed to “chill free speech.” The ACLU warned that the legislation “dangerously lowers the threshold for government scrutiny of peaceful demonstrations,” potentially ensnaring ordinary donors. The Open Society Foundations denied the claims, stating, “Neither George Soros nor our foundations fund or condone protests or violence in any way.” Progressive commentators on X have described the bill as a “fascist fantasy,” noting that even nonviolent demonstrations could theoretically come under scrutiny given the legislation’s broad language.

Nevertheless, with Republicans controlling the Senate and a supportive DOJ under Attorney General Pam Bondi, passage appears plausible. Trump has floated similar RICO strategies targeting left-wing groups, and insiders report potential IRS audits of Soros-linked entities. If enacted, the legislation could extend beyond protests, potentially freezing assets tied to claims of election interference or border unrest. A GOP strategist summarized, “This isn’t just about Soros—it’s about national sovereignty. No foreign billionaire should be able to influence America’s streets.”

Cruz’s initiative taps into widespread public frustration. Recent polling shows that 58% of Americans believe that big-money donations distort activism. From Texas to the heartland, constituents are rallying behind Cruz’s call to “drain the funders’ swamp.” Whether the bill will curb Soros’ influence immediately or spark a constitutional debate on free speech remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Ted Cruz has made a bold move that is reverberating through Washington.