Communist streamer Hasan Piker and CodePink cofounder Medea Benjamin have been subpoenaed as part of a wide-ranging federal investigation into visits made to Cuba.
The inquiry is considering whether activists who visited the Caribbean island in March violated US sanctions and laws through the financing, coordination or delivery of goods to Cuba, which includes contacts with the Cuban government and its agents.
US law imposes a wide range of restrictions on financial transactions with Cuba, administered mainly through the Cuban Asset Control Regulations.
The subpoenas were issued by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Fox News reports, “The administrative subpoenas—called ‘Requests for Information,’ or RFI—seek financial, logistical and communications information revolving around trips the two widely bragged about making to the island nation in March with delegations of the ‘Nuestra América Convoy,’ or ‘Our America Convoy,’ from a global network of communist sympathizers, activists and influencers who brought supplies to the country’s ruling Communist Party of Cuba, according to sources familiar with the matter.
“The investigation is part of a broader effort by officials at Treasury, State and Justice departments to curb malign foreign influence operations inside the United States, particularly activities tied to support for political violence, extremist movements or acts the U.S. government classifies as terrorism. The scrutiny reflects growing concern among federal authorities and lawmakers over whether foreign actors and aligned organizations are attempting to shape American political discourse, mobilize activists, sow discord and normalize rhetoric that could encourage violence or undermine U.S. national security interests.”
Federal authorities will be looking at the role of the funding network of billionaire Neville Roy Singham, who has pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into nonprofits that promote pro-Cuba, pro-China and anti-US messaging and organize protests and other forms of activism.
Singham is married to CodePink co-founder Jodie Evans.
Organizations in the Singham network were involved in the Nuestra América Convoy which arrived in Cuba in March.
As many as 40 American citizens are reported to be under investigation, and more subpoenas are expected.
Hasan Piker is a hugely influential streamer who, after an unsuccessful stint as a “redpill” manosphere influencer, rebranded as a purveyor of communist, anti-American opinion and commentary.
Piker has been the subject of reported controversy for his apparent endorsement of political violence, and for allegations of cruelty to his pet dogs.
Just this week, he said the Justice Department’s indictment of Cuban leader Raul Castro is a “sham” with “no legal standing” that’s designed to justify American regime change on the island.
In response to the subpoena, Piker wrote on X, “the american govt would rather try to criminalize delivering aid to a country we’ve starved, than punish the epstein class.”
