Code Pink Activists Escorted Out of House Hearing on Foreign Influence Operations

WASHINGTON D.C. – Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin and two associates were escorted from a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill after entering the room wearing T-shirts that supported the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Communist Party of Cuba. The incident occurred approximately 30 minutes into the hearing titled "Trojan Horses: Covert Foreign Malign Influence Operations in America."

Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., stated that the demonstration underscored the hearing's central theme: that protest theater and messaging can function as components of foreign influence operations. "They're using it not to affect policy, but really to enrich themselves because they use that then to go out on social media, to try to whip other people up, to help donations, to help get volunteers," Huizenga told Fox News Digital.

The hearing focused on networks of nonprofits, media outlets, and activist groups allegedly promoting the interests of foreign governments and pro-communist ideologues. A key focus was U.S. tech tycoon Neville Roy Singham, who lives in Shanghai and has reportedly funneled $278 million into a network of groups pushing anti-American and pro-China narratives. Code Pink has reportedly received $1.33 million from Singham.

Benjamin, when approached outside the hearing room by Fox News Digital about the Singham funding, did not respond directly and instead entered the hearing room with her fellow activists. Inside, Heritage Foundation senior fellow Mike Gonzalez confronted Benjamin, stating she should "stop shilling for a communist tyranny." Benjamin defended herself as "anti-war" and denied receiving direction from the Chinese Communist Party.

In his opening remarks, Huizenga identified Singham, Code Pink, and Marxist influencer Hasan Piker as examples of actors tied to U.S. adversaries attempting to influence the American public. He stated that adversaries like China, Cuba, Iran, and Russia aim to weaken the United States through covert influence campaigns. According to testimony, Singham has provided millions of dollars to groups like Code Pink, the People’s Forum, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation to purportedly destabilize American society and promote communist ideology.

Witnesses detailed how foreign adversaries allegedly use intermediaries and donor funds to direct money toward U.S.-based groups that organize protests and produce political messaging. BreakThrough News, a media platform identified as amplifying narratives aligned with Beijing, received $1.098 million from Singham. Research presented suggested connections between Singham-funded organizations and Chinese state-linked academic and media institutions. Singham and Code Pink have denied that the organization takes direction from the Chinese government, and no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations.

Sam Lyman, head of research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, testified about three overlapping channels of influence: Chinese state media, Singham-supported nonprofits, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Lyman indicated that Singham-funded groups have echoed Chinese messaging on issues such as artificial intelligence and U.S. technology policy, while the Party for Socialism and Liberation has been involved in organizing opposition to data-center projects across the country.

Matthew Johnson, senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, described the Singham network as a layer that translates Beijing's themes, such as anti-imperialism and opposition to U.S. power, into activist language for American audiences. He cited groups like the People's Forum, BreakThrough News, Tricontinental, Code Pink, and the ANSWER Coalition as part of this ecosystem. Tricontinental Ltd., led by Vijay Prashad, received $16.76 million from Singham.

Democratic minority lawmakers invited Donald Sherman, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, who offered a different perspective by criticizing former President Donald Trump's business dealings.

The term "Trojan horse" was used to describe individuals or organizations that provide hidden access for foreign powers' interests. After the witnesses concluded their testimonies, U.S. Capitol Police approached Benjamin and her associates. Huizenga suspended the hearing briefly before officers escorted the activists out.

Ranking member Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., objected to the removal, arguing the activists were exercising freedom of speech. Outside the hearing room, Benjamin continued to film a video about the event. Shortly after being removed, Code Pink posted a video of the confrontation. Far-left activists from the Singham network reportedly shared the video online.