CodePink Under Federal Scrutiny for Cuba Trip

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an inquiry to CodePink regarding their March trip to Cuba. This request for information aligns with the Trump administration’s heightened focus on nonprofit organizations involved in foreign-policy activism.

In response to conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s murder, President Donald Trump called for stricter enforcement against nonprofits aiding political violence. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed this stance, asserting that nonprofits cannot avoid legal consequences when their resources contribute to unlawful activities. New changes demand nonprofits to thoroughly vet their grant recipients.

Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CodePink, confirmed that her organization received this inquiry through an email that initially landed in their spam folder. The inquiry seeks information about their trip, which included delivering humanitarian aid worth $600,000 to Cuba.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control enforces U.S. sanctions, which limit financial interactions with Cuba. OFAC’s compliance requirements include licensing and record-keeping for authorized activities.

Benjamin acknowledged the inquiry’s serious nature, detailing knowledge of approximately 12 specific questions related to the trip. The questions inquire into transportation, accommodation, and the activities’ schedule. Organizers might need to account for the actions of all 170 participants.

Benjamin believes the inquiry serves as intimidation, discouraging Americans from Cuba-related humanitarian missions. Nevertheless, she affirmed that CodePink plans to continue their activities in defiance of the federal scrutiny.

Hasan Piker, a political streamer associated with CodePink, denied receiving any inquiry from the Treasury. He speculated that the investigation could target Neville Roy Singham, an American tech tycoon who has financially supported CodePink and affiliated groups allegedly linked to pro-China efforts.