BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Friday that his government will pursue legal measures to eliminate non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media outlets that receive funding from the United States and other international sources. Orbán, a supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, stated during a state radio broadcast that his administration was meticulously reviewing organizations operating within Hungary that have benefited financially from the U.S. government. He commended Trump’s decision to disband the U.S. Agency for International Development, suggesting that its funds were misappropriated to support groups that aimed to undermine his leadership.
“Now is the time to dismantle these international networks, to eliminate their presence completely,” Orbán declared. He asserted that it was essential to render their operations legally untenable.
For several years, Hungary, under Orbán’s leadership, has implemented stringent measures against NGOs and independent media, enacting laws that critics argue serve to discredit and restrict organizations that advocate for women’s rights, minority rights, legal assistance, and the exposure of corruption within the government. The crackdown intensified in 2023, when Orbán’s populist government established the Sovereignty Protection Office, an institution tasked with scrutinizing groups and media that it perceives as foreign influencers.
This office has the authority to collect data on organizations or individuals receiving foreign funding and can sway public discourse. Additionally, Hungary’s intelligence services may assist with its inquiries. However, critics have likened this initiative to Russia’s “foreign agent” legislation, arguing that it can be utilized to unjustly target dissenters, including NGOs and journalists. Offenders may face prison sentences of up to three years for violations.
In his remarks, Orbán suggested that individuals associated with organizations funded by USAID could be labeled as “agents.” He likened Trump’s dismantling of the U.S. agency to a refreshing “cleansing wind” following what he termed the “Trump tornado.” “It is imperative that all funds sourced from America be disclosed, and those who accept them should be subject to penalties,” Orbán insisted. “External funding intended to influence Hungarian politics is unacceptable, and this will be strictly enforced within our legal framework.”
Hungary, under Orbán’s governance, has faced severe accusations from various domestic and international organizations regarding significant democratic erosion, violations of minority rights, and perpetuation of widespread corruption and political favoritism. The European Union has withheld billions in financial aid to Hungary due to its failure to comply with established rule-of-law principles and democratic standards, including deficiencies in judicial independence.
