Financial disclosures reviewed by The New York Post reveal that left-wing dark-money donors, including billionaire George Soros, have poured over $20 million into progressive organizations behind the protests against President Donald Trump’s recent law enforcement actions in Washington, D.C.
The protests center around Trump’s decision to federalize the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deploy National Guard troops to the city, part of a sweeping federal initiative to address crime, dismantle homeless encampments, and restore public order in the nation’s capital.
At the forefront of the demonstrations is Free DC, which bills itself as a “fiscally sponsored special project” of two progressive nonprofits — Community Change and Community Change Action. These groups have deep financial backing from a network of influential donors and advocacy organizations, many of whom have been linked to coordinated political activism nationwide.
On Monday, Free DC organized roughly 150 protesters near the White House to oppose Trump’s federal takeover of D.C.’s police force. Participants waved signs, chanted slogans, and voiced opposition to the increased police presence and broader crackdown.
A Playbook for Resistance
Free DC’s messaging promotes what it calls “guiding principles,” including phrases such as “Do not obey in advance” and “Take up space.” The group has encouraged nightly demonstrations, calling on residents to step outside at 8:00 PM each evening to bang pots and pans, sing, chant, or make noise for five minutes in protest of what it describes as an “occupation” of the city.
In addition to street protests, Free DC has scheduled training sessions such as “Cop Watch,” designed to monitor and document police activity during the ongoing federal enforcement effort. Organizers say these activities are part of a broader resistance strategy that will continue as long as the crackdown remains in effect.
The Money Trail
According to research conducted by Americans for Public Trust, the funding behind Free DC flows through Community Change and Community Change Action — two organizations with long-standing ties to major progressive donors.
Soros’ Open Society Foundations is one of the most significant contributors. Financial disclosures show that in 2023 alone, Community Change and its political arm received $4 million from Soros’ network. Between 2020 and 2023, those contributions totaled $12.6 million.
The groups have also received substantial funding from the Arabella Advisors network — a powerful D.C.-based consulting firm that manages multiple donor-advised funds, including the Sixteen Thirty Fund, Windward Fund, and New Venture Fund. These funds collectively sent $5.6 million to Community Change and Community Change Action between 2020 and 2023.
The Tides Foundation and Tides Center, both known for distributing progressive grant money, contributed an additional $1.9 million during the same period. In 2023 alone, Tides gave $145,000 to the two Community Change entities.
Caitlin Sutherland, executive director of Americans for Public Trust, criticized the funding network as an example of outside money influencing local public safety debates.
“It is ironic that a protest to ostensibly ‘Free DC’ was hosted by Community Change, a group funded by massive amounts of outside dark money to push a pro-crime agenda,” Sutherland said. “D.C. is facing shootings, carjackings, and assaults, and yet progressive groups like The Pritzker Foundation, George Soros, and the Arabella Network all spend millions of dollars to manufacture protests that weaken our communities.”
Additional records show that Community Change received $1 million in 2021 and 2022 from Future Forward USA Action, a Democratic-aligned super PAC connected to Future Forward PAC — one of the main political committees supporting Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Origins of the Protest Movement
Free DC’s website states that it began organizing in 2023, shortly after Congress moved to block a revision of the D.C. criminal code. That effort sparked criticism from progressive activists who saw it as an attack on local self-governance. Since then, Free DC has expanded its focus to oppose Trump’s public safety policies, including the dismantling of homeless encampments and enhanced federal policing in the city.
Despite multiple requests, neither Free DC nor Community Change responded to media inquiries about their funding sources or protest plans.
Political Context and Public Debate
Trump’s decision to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department has sparked intense debate. Supporters of the move argue that violent crime in the city — including high-profile attacks on federal employees — justifies extraordinary measures. Opponents say the move undermines local autonomy and could lead to excessive use of force.
The protests backed by Free DC are part of a larger national conversation about the role of outside funding in shaping grassroots activism. While donors such as Soros and the Arabella network argue that their contributions support civil rights and social justice, critics contend that such funding distorts local priorities and amplifies voices that do not necessarily represent the community’s majority opinion.
As the protests continue, federal and local law enforcement remain on high alert. Trump has vowed to maintain the increased police and National Guard presence until he deems the city secure, a timeline that could stretch for weeks.
With millions of dollars fueling organized resistance, both the crackdown and the protests against it are poised to remain central to Washington’s political landscape in the coming months.
