A national watchdog group filed a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s office. [1] The complaint alleges the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation violated state law by funneling foreign funds into an abortion ballot campaign.
Financial Allegations
The complaint states the ACLU gave $2.5 million to Stop the Bans, a campaign focused on defeating Amendment 3. In July 2025, Missouri passed Senate Bill 152, which forbids ballot measure committees from accepting money from entities that received large foreign contributions.
The complaint states the ACLU gave $2.5 million to Stop the Bans, a campaign focused on defeating Amendment 3.
Americans for Public Trust claims the ACLU received millions from the Swiss-based Wyss Foundation and Oak Foundation.
Caitlin Sutherland, executive director of Americans for Public Trust, spoke out against the funding. “Foreign nationals, foreign charities, and foreign governments are actively exploiting loopholes to funnel their foreign dark money into American politics,” she said.
Sutherland added that the ACLU’s contributions demonstrate “reckless disregard for Missouri’s law.”
The Ballot Context
Missouri voters will decide on Amendment 3 this November. The measure would repeal the Reproductive Freedom Amendment, allowing the state legislature to restrict abortion and ban public funds for the procedure.
Missouri voters will decide on Amendment 3 this November.
When asked about the complaint, the ACLU Foundation stated it is compliant with Missouri campaign finance law.
Americans for Public Trust requested that Attorney General Catherine Hanaway launch an investigation. They also asked the office to pursue enforcement action if violations are found.
Notes:
- ^LifeNews Staff. (2026). ACLU Spending Millions to Stop Pro-Life Amendment in Missouri – LifeNews.com. LifeNews. Retrieved from https://www.lifenews.com/2026/06/02/aclu-spending-millions-to-stop-pro-life-amendment-in-missouri/ (go back ↩)
