The United States has been placed on the Civicus Monitor Watchlist, joining countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Italy, Pakistan, and Serbia. This list is part of the Civicus Monitor, which tracks civic freedoms in 198 countries and uses insights and data from a network of research partners worldwide. Mandeep Tiwana, co-secretary general of Civicus, explains that the watchlist identifies countries experiencing a decline in civic freedoms, including peaceful assembly, free expression, and association. The decision to add the US to the list speaks to the “Trump administration’s assault on democratic norms and global cooperation,” which Civicus claims has had severe impacts on civic freedoms and human rights. This designation comes as the US has moved towards “obstructed” status, reflective of the administration’s controversial policies and actions, such as mass firings of federal employees, the appointment of Trump loyalists, and withdrawals from international organizations. Tiwana and Civicus express deep concerns that these actions could embolden authoritarian regimes and undermine constitutional principles, undermining the US’s reputation as a “beacon of democracy.”

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/09/watchlist-decline-civic-freedoms-civicus