Lawmaker Investigates Far-Left Nonprofits for Alleged Ties to Chinese Propaganda

House Committee on Ways and Means chair Jason Smith demands records from BreakThrough BT Media and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research over claims they are promoting CCP-aligned narratives

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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House Committee on Ways and Means chair Jason Smith has launched an investigation into two U.S. nonprofits, BreakThrough BT Media Inc. and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, alleging they have ties to a China-based, American-born Marxist tech tycoon, Neville Roy Singham, and are promoting propaganda aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Smith has demanded records from the organizations and will chair a hearing on 'Foreign Influence in American Non-profits: Unmasking Threats from Beijing and Beyond' on Tuesday.

Why it matters

The investigation places the nonprofits within a broader network of socialist, communist and Marxist groups that congressional investigators say are part of a malign foreign influence operation exploiting U.S. nonprofit laws to inject anti-American propaganda into domestic protest movements and sow discord from within the United States. The hearing represents a critical moment in what national security analysts describe as a new 'cognitive war' in which foreign adversaries seek to weaponize outrage, protest and information to weaken the United States.

The details

In separate letters, Smith demanded records from BreakThrough and Tricontinental, warning that both tax-exempt organizations may be operating outside their lawful purpose as possible unregistered foreign agents. The letters describe a full-spectrum operation, with funding aligned with foreign interests flowing into tax-exempt nonprofits that produce ideological research, media narratives and social media messaging, which are then deployed onto U.S. streets through tightly choreographed protests. Smith said that if the evidence shows these groups are acting as conduits for CCP-aligned propaganda or functioning like foreign agents while enjoying U.S. tax benefits, their tax-exempt status should be revoked.

  • The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 10 a.m.
  • Smith sent the letters to BreakThrough and Tricontinental on Monday night, February 9, 2026.

The players

Jason Smith

Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, who is leading the investigation into the alleged ties between the nonprofits and Chinese propaganda.

Neville Roy Singham

A China-based, American-born Marxist tech tycoon who congressional investigators say sits at the center of the alleged malign foreign influence operation.

BreakThrough BT Media Inc.

A U.S. nonprofit that Smith alleges is producing and distributing content that aligns with pro-CCP rhetoric.

Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research

A U.S. nonprofit that Smith alleges has been 'responsible for spreading Marxist and anti-American rhetoric across both the United States and the globe' and is possibly 'sowing chaos and spreading Chinese propaganda, possibly in coordination with a foreign government.'

Vijay Prashad

The executive director of Tricontinental, who Smith says has direct ties to Chinese state-linked institutions.

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What they’re saying

“Tax-exempt status is a privilege not a right. Nonprofits must remain accountable and refuse to act as instruments of hostile foreign governments.”

— Jason Smith, Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means (Fox News Digital)

“If the evidence shows these groups are acting as conduits for CCP-aligned propaganda or functioning like foreign agents while enjoying U.S. tax benefits, their tax-exempt status should be revoked immediately. We're going to follow the money and demand accountability to put a stop to Beijing's exploitation of our tax-exempt sector.”

— Jason Smith, Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights growing concerns about the potential exploitation of U.S. nonprofit laws by foreign adversaries, such as China, to inject propaganda and sow discord within the United States. It underscores the need for greater scrutiny and accountability of tax-exempt organizations to ensure they are not being used as conduits for malign foreign influence.