China and Trump targeted in House hearing on foreign influence in US non-profits
Claims made at Congressional hearing that network of foreign donors paid American advocacy groups billions to try to influence US policy
“Tax-exempt organisations funded by foreign donors are exploiting very lucrative US tax benefits to incite violence and unrest in our communities and destabilise our political process,” said Jason Smith, chairman of the committee, a Republican from Missouri. “Many of these tax-exempt groups also have documented ties to hostile foreign governments, like the Communist Party.”
Specifically, they accused it of donating US$20 million to the People’s Forum, a New York-based civic group, to support protests and support left-wing causes and push pro-Beijing narratives and anti-US propaganda. The Forum did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Democrats countered that removing malign foreign influence was desirable, but Tuesday’s hearing was more about targeting progressive groups selectively, rather than dealing with more obvious targets.