House Lawmakers Urge IRS and Treasury to Investigate CCP-Linked Nonprofits Top House lawmakers are pressing Treasury and the IRS to investigate U.S. tax-exempt nonprofits allegedly co-opted by the Chinese Communist Party to interfere in American elections and politics. The focus is on so-called "hometown" organizations, which are formed by immigrants from the same towns or provinces in China to welcome new immigrants, organize parades, and help members maintain social and cultural ties. These groups, now under scrutiny, are accused of being part of a broader CCP strategy to influence U.S. democratic institutions. Recent actions by the FBI have highlighted concerns about these organizations. In a notable case, the FBI raided the offices of the American Changle Association in New York City, alleging it housed an illegal "secret police station" run by China’s Ministry of Public Security. Two individuals were arrested for acting as unregistered foreign agents. One, Chen Jinping of New York, pled guilty to conspiring to act as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China. The other’s case is still pending in court. The investigation has drawn attention to the role of these "hometown associations" in the U.S. nonprofit sector. Lawmakers, including House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar, have sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS Commissioner-designate Frank Bisignano. The letter raises "grave concerns" that these groups, linked to the CCP, are exploiting the U.S. nonprofit system to advance Beijing’s interests.#treasury_secretary_scott_bessent #house_ways_and_means_committee #irs_commissioner_designate_frank_bisignano #american_changle_association
U.S. Navy to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz when possible, Bessent says Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. Navy will begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as "militarily possible," during an interview with Sky News. Bessent emphasized that this measure was part of the administration’s long-term planning, stating that the possibility of naval escorts—either by the U.S. or an international coalition—had been considered from the outset. The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as a "tool to pressure the enemy." Khamenei’s remarks underscore the strategic significance of the waterway, which is a critical artery for global oil shipments. Bessent, however, asserted that the U.S. has "complete control of the skies" and that Iran’s naval forces are "literally and figuratively sunk," reflecting the administration’s confidence in its military superiority. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, meanwhile, told CNBC that the Navy is not yet prepared to escort tankers through the strait. Wright acknowledged that the operation "will happen relatively soon" but emphasized that current military resources are focused on dismantling Iran’s offensive capabilities and its industrial infrastructure. This highlights a potential gap between the administration’s strategic goals and the operational readiness of its forces. President Donald Trump had previously called on oil company CEOs to send tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, framing the move as a necessary step in countering Iran.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #mojtaba_khamenei #chubb #treasury_secretary_scott_bessent
