Republican members of Congress are sounding the alarm about a coordinated series of protests that have swept from Austin, Texas, to New York City. Lawmakers say the demonstrations are being funded by a pro‑China network led by tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham and his wife, activist Jodie Evans, and that the rallies are designed to portray the United States as unstable just as President Trump readies for high‑stakes negotiations with President Xi Jinping.
Pro‑China Funding Behind the Street Action
According to a Fox News Digital investigation, Singham has funneled roughly $285 million through a donor‑advised fund and shell companies into six major nonprofits, media outlets and activist groups. The money has been used to support CodePink ($1.33 million), the People’s Forum ($22.44 million) and BreakThrough BT Media ($1.098 million), among others. The investigation also notes that the Justice Department’s Southern District of New York has convened a federal grand jury to examine possible wire fraud, bank fraud or money‑laundering violations tied to the network.
Protests Across Multiple Issues
In Austin, activists gathered at 8121 Research Blvd. after a shooting involving Venezuelan national Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez. Groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America, Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Party for Socialism and Liberation promoted the rally as “spontaneous,” while internal communications reveal a rapid mobilization through a pre‑existing national infrastructure.
Within days the same network staged demonstrations outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, where Evans wore a fuchsia straw hat and joined CodePink members in condemning the U.S. military and climate policy. The activists then marched to OpenAI’s offices on Lafayette Street, alleging that the company’s data centers “drive war” and “economic degradation.”
Republican Leaders Call for Transparency
“The American people need to know that this is not just an organic movement,” said Rep. Jason Smith (R‑MO), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “There has to be more transparency across all areas with these kinds of activities.”
Rep. John Moolenaar (R‑MI), chairman of the House Select Committee on China, added, “In these situations where you have groups that portray themselves as grassroots, it’s really more astroturf, very fake. The protests raise serious concerns about malign foreign influence in the United States, especially when you see them actively speaking out against American interests.”
Moolenaar also urged the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service to examine whether the organizations should retain their tax‑exempt status, noting that their political involvement may violate campaign‑finance rules.
Administration’s Position
President Trump, who is preparing for direct talks with President Xi this week, has repeatedly emphasized the need to protect American sovereignty and to expose foreign attempts to sow discord. While the administration has not issued a formal statement on the specific protests, officials have reiterated that any foreign‑backed effort to undermine U.S. stability will be met with firm diplomatic and economic responses.
What This Means for Communities
Local residents in Austin and New York have expressed mixed reactions. Some participants claim they are protesting U.S. policies on climate, immigration and artificial‑intelligence ethics, but the rapid shift from one issue to another suggests a coordinated messaging strategy rather than genuine grassroots concern.
Lawmakers are urging the Justice Department to move quickly, warning that the perception of chaos could give China a negotiating advantage as President Trump seeks to secure fair trade terms and protect American workers.
Looking Ahead
The investigation remains ongoing, and none of the organizations or Singham himself have responded to repeated requests for comment. As President Trump heads into talks with President Xi, the spotlight will remain on whether foreign‑aligned activist networks can influence public opinion and diplomatic outcomes.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
