Nonprofits Linked to Singham Defy House Subpoenas, Citing 'Witch Hunt'

Two nonprofits associated with Marxist tech tycoon Neville Roy Singham have rejected a congressional ultimatum to produce financial records, asserting that the House Ways and Means Committee's investigation into foreign influence is a "MAGA-led witch hunt" that infringes on their First Amendment rights. The People's Forum Inc. and BreakThrough News stated their positions in separate letters to the committee on October 20.

The House committee, led by Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., is investigating whether funds channeled through Singham's network of tax-exempt nonprofits are being used to promote the interests of the Chinese Communist Party in the United States. The committee had threatened to subpoena leaders from both organizations, and Singham himself, to testify under oath.

Attorneys for BreakThrough News argued that the committee's request constitutes "holding the staff of BreakThrough News hostage" and targets the outlet due to its coverage of topics such as Israel and immigration enforcement. They also challenged the committee's framing of the investigation, noting that Singham, who resides in Shanghai, is an American citizen.

The People's Forum echoed these sentiments, describing the committee's demands as retaliation for asserting their First Amendment rights and specifically targeting eight staff members with deposition threats. The organization published a statement on October 21 declaring, "This is an escalation of the same MAGA-led witch-hunt." Both organizations have also encouraged supporters to donate to their legal defense funds.

The standoff raises the possibility of Singham being deposed, as he was identified by the committee among 21 potential witnesses. These also include executives, activists, and journalists linked to The People's Forum, BreakThrough News, and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, a Marxist think tank.

Press freedom and civil liberties organizations, including PEN America and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, have voiced support for BreakThrough News. They contend that the committee is targeting the outlet's editorial viewpoints and warn that compelling journalists to testify could jeopardize press freedom.

A previous investigation by Fox News Digital traced approximately $278 million from Singham into six core U.S. nonprofits. These organizations reportedly served as funding hubs for an international network promoting socialist, communist, and pro-China causes. The People's Forum received about $22.44 million, Tricontinental received $16.76 million, and BreakThrough BT Media Inc., the parent of BreakThrough News, received $1.098 million from Singham's funding network. Combined, these three entities received roughly $40.3 million.

The committee stated it is examining whether current tax laws adequately shield the nonprofit sector from foreign influence and considering whether legislative strengthening is necessary. Smith asserted that "Shanghai Singham has poured millions of dollars into these groups to take advantage of America's nonprofit sector and promote Chinese Communist Party propaganda." He added, "Either these organizations turn over the documents, or their leaders will answer the Committee's questions under oath."