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The Trump administration is intensifying its investigation into the suspected financial backing of violent protests that erupted in Los Angeles and several other U.S. cities, federal officials confirmed this week.
According to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the FBI, are tracking anonymous online job advertisements that allegedly offered individuals substantial payments to participate in recent demonstrations. Some of these protests, initially billed as pro-immigration rallies, devolved into riots, resulting in widespread property damage and injuries.
In an interview on Wednesday, Gabbard said investigators are looking closely at digital evidence suggesting that organizers may have used platforms like Craigslist and encrypted messaging apps to recruit paid participants. “There is growing concern that these protests were not entirely organic,” Gabbard stated. “Some individuals appear to have been incentivized to show up, and in some cases, to incite violence.”
While some online job posts have been dismissed as hoaxes—including a widely circulated Craigslist ad offering thousands per week to protest—officials are still reviewing financial records from several activist groups suspected of having links to organized demonstrations.
One such group under scrutiny is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIR), which has received tens of millions in government grants over the years. A portion of those funds, originally intended for community outreach and legal assistance, is now being reviewed for possible misuse in organizing civil unrest. Department of Homeland Security officials under Trump have reportedly initiated efforts to reclaim some of that funding, including over $100,000 that remains unaccounted for.
Further complicating the situation is California Governor Gavin Newsom’s refusal to authorize state-level crackdowns on protests that turned violent. Gabbard sharply criticized Newsom, accusing him of neglecting public safety and suggesting he was indirectly aiding criminal networks, though no direct evidence has been provided to support the claim.
Meanwhile, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has formally requested internal records from a Los Angeles-based nonprofit allegedly involved in early-stage protest planning. Additionally, labor groups like the AFL-CIO have faced questions about their role in supporting rallies connected to incidents of violence.
As federal investigations proceed, questions remain about the true nature of the funding behind these demonstrations—and whether political or ideological forces are fueling unrest under the guise of activism.
