Two non-profit organizations, BreakThrough News and Peoples Forum Inc., have formally challenged subpoenas issued by the House Ways and Means Committee, alleging the investigation into the funding network of tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham amounts to a political “witch hunt.” Attorneys for both groups contend that the subpoenas infringe upon First Amendment rights, specifically free speech, journalism, and political advocacy, rather than pursuing a legitimate tax law inquiry.
Accusations of ‘Red Scare’ Tactics
In identical letters sent to the committee, the organizations’ legal representatives argued that the congressional subpoenas are an overreach, employing tactics reminiscent of the “Red Scare” era. They assert that the committee’s public statements and the broad scope of the demands reflect a desire to target their political views rather than conduct a proper legislative investigation. The groups indicated a willingness to comply if the committee narrows its requests to be more specific and relevant.
The letters, dated August 7, were shared on the organizations’ social media platforms. Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, co-signed both letters. She, along with attorney Andrew Herman, has previously represented these groups in earlier inquiries. They drew parallels between the current congressional probe and the activities of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the 1940s and 1950s, which investigated alleged communist influence.
The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund shares an address with the ANSWER Coalition, described as a communist group, and operates out of the Peoples Forum headquarters in Manhattan. Both organizations argue that the committee has ventured beyond its traditional oversight of tax law into areas of foreign influence, national security, and propaganda, which they deem outside its purview.
Committee Defends Investigation
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., defended the investigation, emphasizing that compliance with congressional subpoenas is mandatory. “Make no mistake: Compliance with a congressional subpoena isn’t optional, and the Committee will use all tools it has available to investigate whether foreign actors are exploiting our tax code to sow chaos and create division,” Smith stated. He expressed disappointment at the organizations’ attempts to evade scrutiny, asserting that tax-exempt status is a privilege that requires transparency, especially when potential foreign influence is a concern.
The committee’s investigation, initiated with subpoenas issued on July 21, aims to understand how funds from Singham’s network reached tax-exempt organizations and whether foreign influence played a role. The committee has not accused the subpoenaed groups of any criminal wrongdoing. However, it is examining $40.3 million in funding that allegedly flowed from Singham’s network to BreakThrough News, Peoples Forum, and a third entity, Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, which describes its work as rooted in “national liberation Marxism.” Tricontinental also submitted a response by the deadline, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
Examining Funding and Tax Laws
The committee alleges that the Singham network utilized shell companies and donor-advised funds to obscure the origins of contributions. The inquiry seeks to determine if current tax laws adequately address such funding arrangements and if legislative reforms are necessary. Neville Roy Singham, an American who sold his software company ThoughtWorks for an estimated $785 million in 2017 and now resides in Shanghai, has reportedly directed at least $278 million into six core non-profits. These organizations, as previously reported, are known for promoting socialist, communist, and pro-China agendas as part of a broader international network.
According to previous reporting, Singham channeled $22.44 million to Peoples Forum, $16.76 million to Tricontinental, and $1.098 million to BreakThrough BT Media Inc., the parent company of BreakThrough News, totaling approximately $40.3 million. The committee claims the organizations failed to produce requested documents, while the groups maintain they are not legally obligated to comply with requests they deem overly broad and violative of First Amendment protections.
Challenging the Subpoenas’ Scope
BreakThrough News and Peoples Forum argue that the committee is demanding excessive information, including records that could expose their journalism, political activities, donors, and associations. They contend that the process seeks to “punish, silence, expose, and condemn protected expression.” The committee counters that its investigation is focused on whether tax laws governing tax-exempt organizations sufficiently account for foreign influence and whether stronger legislation is needed.
The organizations also pointed to alleged inconsistencies in the committee’s stated purpose for the investigation and a potential error in the subpoena itself, which reportedly referenced BreakThrough News instead of Peoples Forum in one section. They argue these issues demonstrate a failure by the committee to tailor its demands and justify their relevance to a legitimate legislative purpose. Attorneys for the groups further alleged that the committee’s actions are intended for “public exposure, public smearing, and personal aggrandizement” rather than genuine oversight.
Furthermore, the organizations claim that the committee provided correspondence regarding the subpoenas to the press before it was officially transmitted to the recipients. This, they argue, indicates the inquiries were designed for public spectacle rather than legislative work. The committee maintains that its reporting on the matter occurred after the subpoenas were delivered.
Echoes of Past Probes and Public Response
The objections filed by BreakThrough News and Peoples Forum mirror a broader public campaign launched by the organizations and their allies. Following the announcement of the subpoenas, supporters characterized the investigation as a resurgence of McCarthyism and an attack on independent journalism. Rania Khalek, a host at BreakThrough News, voiced these concerns on the program “Democracy Now!,” accusing lawmakers of targeting the outlet due to its political stance and encouraging financial support for the organization’s legal fight.
Both organizations have initiated fundraising and petition drives. Peoples Forum is soliciting tax-deductible donations for legal costs and organizing efforts, while Khalek directed supporters to a GoFundMe page and an Action Network petition opposing the congressional investigation. Figures like Marxist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker have also publicly criticized the subpoenas, referring to them as “the McCarthy trials.” Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CodePink, another group that has received funding linked to Singham, denounced the subpoenas as a “terrible attack on independent journalism” and pledged solidarity with the subpoenaed organizations.
