Justice Department proposes to redefine who counts as a foreign agent

The Justice Department has proposed changes to the rules for who must register as a foreign agent. This could mean more individuals and companies working for foreign governments or entities will need to publicly disclose their activities.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) requires people working on behalf of foreign interests to tell the US government what they are doing. The law has been difficult to enforce consistently since it was passed in 1938. This proposal suggests the Justice Department wants to clarify and update the rules, potentially expanding who falls under them and making enforcement easier.