Author name: Chad Banghart

Press Releases

“Atlanta ANTIFA” Hate Map Listing Cited by Members of Congress in Letters

Washington, D.C. — The New Tolerance Campaign (NTC) is proud to announce that its “Atlanta ANTIFA” listing on the NTC Hate Map has been cited in official letters signed by Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Chip Roy, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government. This citation underscores the growing role of the NTC Hate Map as a credible resource informing congressional discussions on political violence and extremist activity in the United States. The NTC Hate Map, an interactive database documenting incidents of political violence and hard-left organizational activity across the United States, was created to fill a critical gap in public information and research. Unlike traditional civil-rights tracker resources, which often focus primarily on far-right hate groups, NTC’s map provides a balanced dataset capturing violent acts and intolerant behavior regardless of ideological origin. NTC’s “Atlanta ANTIFA” listing is one of many entries that highlight documented instances where members or affiliates of this movement have been associated with politically motivated violence, property destruction, or confrontational public demonstrations. The fact that this data has been referenced by sitting Members of Congress reflects both its relevance to national security discourse and the need for reliable, unbiased reporting on all sources of political violence. “Our mission has always been to ensure that all forms of hate and intolerance are tracked with the same rigor and transparency,” said Chad Banghart, President of New Tolerance Campaign. “When elected officials turn to NTC’s Hate Map as a source of factual reference, it reinforces the importance of documenting facts over ideology.” The “Atlanta ANTIFA” listing being brought into congressional discussion emphasizes several key points: Accountability in Documentation: NTC’s Hate Map provides verifiable, sourced information about violent incidents often overlooked or minimized in other institutional records. Policy Impacts: Congress referencing this data signals growing bipartisan attention on politically motivated violence and the need for comprehensive resources that extend beyond traditional categorizations of “hate.” Public Education: Increasingly, policymakers and journalists alike are turning to independent resources like the Hate Map to inform debates about domestic extremism. The NTC Hate Map also addresses widespread concerns about selective reporting in existing civil-rights tracking tools, which historically have prioritized some forms of political violence over others. By creating a tool that documents incidents linked to both far-left and far-right actors, NTC is advancing a true tolerance framework that rejects all violence and intimidation. ### For Interview or Inquiry: New Tolerance Campaign Communications 520-369-3829 communications@newtolerance.org About New Tolerance Campaign The New Tolerance Campaign is a nonprofit watchdog organization that mobilizes Americans to hold corporations, media outlets, celebrities, universities, and other influential institutions accountable when they display double standards in their actions and rhetoric.

News

Mamdani Returns $9,000 in Campaign Donations After Conservative Organization Investigation

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s campaign has returned about $9,000 in possibly illegal foreign donations. The socialist’s campaign had taken nearly $13,000 from overseas donations, the New York Post reported earlier this month. Two criminal referrals were filed against Mamdani’s campaign over the donations on Tuesday by the Coolidge Reagan Foundation. Mamdani’s campaign says the remaining $4,000 comes from American citizens living overseas, which are legal donations. The campaign refunded about $4,000 from 67 overseas donors during the filing period between Sept. 8 and Oct. 20, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board. One donation came from Ada Diaz Ahmed, a Dubai-based investor, who lent the Mamdani campaign the maximum $2,100. Mamdani’s campaign continued to receive donations from abroad recently, taking in $130 total from three people in London, Australia, and Germany this month. Click here to read the full news story.

News

Zohran Mamdani Campaign Under Scrutiny for Accepting Money from Foreign Donors

Socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has come under scrutiny for accepting money from foreign donors. The Coolidge Reagan Foundation, a campaign finance watchdog, referred the campaign to both the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, citing alleged violations of both the Federal Election Campaign Act and the New York Election Code. Mamdani accepted more than $13,000 from at least 170 donors, of all whom maintain addresses outside of the United States, according to campaign finance records. To legally contribute to a political campaign, donors must either be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, which calls into question these specific contributions. “These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors,” Dan Backer, president of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation, told Fox News. “This was a sustained pattern of foreign money flowing into a New York City mayoral race which is a clear violation of both federal law and New York City campaign finance rules. Mamdani’s campaign was on notice for months that it was accepting illegal foreign contributions, and yet it did nothing meaningful to stop it.” The Mamdani campaign claims that of the 170 foreign donors, 31 have proven their citizenship or permanent residency, and the rest have received refunds for their donations. “The law is crystal clear that foreign nationals may not participate in American elections, and that includes making contributions,” Backer said. “Yet Mamdani’s campaign repeatedly accepted donations from individuals abroad, some even tied to regions and individuals openly sympathetic to hostile actors.” The Coolidge Reagan Foundation has previously filed complaints against New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, and the Democratic National Committee. Click here to read the full news story.

News

Zohran Mamdani faces criminal referrals to DOJ over alleged illegal campaign donations from foreigners

New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani was hit with two criminal referrals Tuesday filed by a campaign finance watchdog accusing the lefty socialist of accepting illegal contributions from foreign donors. The Coolidge Reagan Foundation filed the referrals – alleging Mamdani may have violated the Federal Election Campaign Act and New York Election Code – with the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office on Tuesday. The referrals were filed after The Post reported earlier this month Mamdani’s campaign raked in nearly $13,000 in contributions from at least 170 donors with addresses outside the US – including one from his mother-in-law in Dubai. “These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors,” Dan Backer, a national campaign finance expert and president of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation, said in a statement. “This was a sustained pattern of foreign money flowing into a New York City mayoral race which is a clear violation of both federal law and New York City campaign finance rules,” Backer added. “Mamdani’s campaign was on notice for months that it was accepting illegal foreign contributions, and yet it did nothing meaningful to stop it.” The Coolidge Reagan Foundation – which has previously lodged complaints against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee –  urged Bragg and the DOJ to investigate and prosecute Mamdani over the potentially illegal campaign cash, which flowed in from Australia, Turkey, France, Canada, Germany and other countries. The group argued Mamdani’s campaign has demonstrated a “systematic failure to comply” with campaign finance laws. Under the Federal Election Campaign Act it is unlawful to “accept or receive” contributions from foreign nationals in any federal, state, or local election. Violators who knowingly accept foreign donations could face hefty fines and imprisonment. Click here to read the full news story.

Press Releases

Mamdani Takes Illegal Foreign Cash

Washington, D.C. — The Coolidge Reagan Foundation (“CRF”) today announced the filing of criminal referrals with both the U.S. Department of Justice and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, urging investigation and prosecution of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for accepting illegal foreign campaign contributions in violation of federal and state election laws. According to filings prepared by CRF President Dan Backer, Mamdani’s campaign accepted at least 161 contributions from foreign sources between December 2024 and September 2025, totaling more than $12,000. The contributions came from individuals listing addresses in Dubai, Australia, Turkey, France, Canada, Germany, and other countries, with the majority providing no verifiable employment information. “These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors,” said Dan Backer, a national campaign finance expert and president of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation. “This was a sustained pattern of foreign money flowing into a New York City mayoral race which is a clear violation of both federal law and New York City campaign finance rules. Mamdani’s campaign was on notice for months that it was accepting illegal foreign contributions, and yet it did nothing meaningful to stop it.” CRF’s referral cites the Federal Election Campaign Act which makes it unlawful to “accept or receive” contributions from foreign nationals in any federal, state, or local election. The law applies even when the contributions do not appear to have influenced a candidate’s behavior. “The law is crystal clear that foreign nationals may not participate in American elections, and that includes making contributions. Yet Mamdani’s campaign repeatedly accepted donations from individuals abroad, some even tied to regions and individuals openly sympathetic to hostile actors. Whether through negligence or intent, this conduct undermines the integrity of the democratic process,” Backer, who previously secured a 5-figure FEC fine against Bernie Sanders  for hiring illegal aliens, added. CRF’s letter to the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section requests a criminal investigation into potential FECA violations, while its referral to District Attorney Bragg cites possible violations of New York Election Law § 17.152, which makes it a misdemeanor for two or more persons to conspire to promote an election by unlawful means. “Foreign money in American elections is not just a technical violation, it is a threat to self-government,” Shaun McCutcheon, Chairman of the CRF added. “Every dollar illegally funneled into a campaign from abroad dilutes the voice of lawful American voters. This case must be investigated immediately, and those responsible held accountable.” Returning questionable donations doesn’t cure the violation, and Mamdani’s campaign continued to accept contributions from overseas accounts for months afterward which illustrates a pattern of reckless disregard for the law. ### For Interview or Inquiry: Media Contact: Ashley Losoya ashley@prosepolitical.com About The Coolidge Reagan Foundation For more than a decade, the Coolidge Reagan Foundation has defended free speech, exposed corrupt politicians, and protected election integrity, ensuring America’s founding principles endure. Its 2018 complaint against Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee over the unlawful funding of the Steele Dossier led to a six-figure fine—the only fine ever levied against her. The foundation’s 2019 complaint against Bernie Sanders for hiring illegal aliens led to a five-figure penalty, and it has fearlessly taken on the political corruption of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Jasmine Crockett, and Rashida Tlaib, among others. For more information, visit: www.coolidgereagan.org.

2025 Victories, Congressional & Candidate Complaints, Election Integrity & Accountability

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Forced to Return Foreign Donations

Between December 2024 and September 2025, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s campaign accepted at least 161 contributions from foreign sources totaling more than $12,000. Donors listed addresses in Dubai, Australia, Turkey, France, Canada, Germany, and other countries, many with no verifiable employment information. Despite clear warnings, the campaign failed to stop the flow of illegal foreign money, revealing a sustained pattern of disregard for election integrity laws. We filed two formal referrals: a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section and a referral to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Following our complaint and resulting scrutiny, the Mamdani campaign returned more than $9,000 in foreign donations. While this partial refund did not erase the violations, it demonstrated the power of public accountability and our ability to force corrective action through legal pressure. [ READ THE DOJ COMPLAINT ] [ READ THE MANHATTAN DA COMPLAINT ]

OP-EDs

POINT: Free Speech is Expensive; Charlie Kirk Paid with His Life

In the annals of history, free speech has always been a double-edged sword. It’s the lifeblood of our Constitution, the core mechanism by which ideas clash, truths emerge and society thrives. What happens when that sword turns lethal? When the cost of speaking out isn’t lost revenue or livelihood, but a bullet to the neck? That’s the grim reality we face with the murder of Charlie Kirk. Kirk paid the ultimate price for free speech, forcing America to confront a chilling question of how far we let the enemies of open discourse go before drawing the line, or even better, holding it. Kirk was no stranger to controversy. For years, he crisscrossed college campuses, debating progressive orthodoxy and challenging echo chambers that dominate higher education. He never shouted down opponents nor peddled hate, as revisionists are trying to claim. Instead, he directly proposed happiness. Kirk believed in the power of dialogue. He armed young minds with facts, encouraged critical thinking, and let the chips fall where they may. In an era where universities often serve as indoctrination mills, Kirk’s approach of presenting the evidence, exposing the inconsistencies, and trusting people to decide for themselves was revolutionary. It was free speech in its purest, messy, provocative and profoundly American form. Yet, for some, that purity was a threat. Kirk’s murder underscores a dangerous escalation. This was the inevitable outcome of years of inflammatory rhetoric that paints conservatives like Kirk as a danger. Kirk was called a fascist, a white supremacist, a threat to democracy. Never mind that his “crimes” were hosting panels on free markets, critiquing identity politics or questioning the efficacy of social policies. It is one thing to have cancel culture go after media companies, products and causes. Boycotts are the people’s prerogative in a free society. If you disagree with a viewpoint, you have every right to “vote with your feet,” to withhold your attention and your dollars. That’s how a healthy marketplace of ideas functions. Competition breeds excellence, and bad ideas wither away. When the cost of producing content starts to exceed the revenue it generates, the decision to cancel is no longer political; it is financial. Free speech, in those cases, becomes too expensive to sustain. Inciting violence? Crossing into threats, doxxing and, ultimately, murder? That’s not dissent; that’s domestic terrorism, and it has no place in our republic. Kirk’s killing has exposed the hypocrisy of those who claim to champion tolerance while practicing intolerance. Many on the left are still doubling down, even in the wake of this tragedy. Social media is ablaze with posts justifying the act, claiming Kirk “had it coming” for his “hate speech.” They’re being called out for it (rightfully so), but the lies persist. They twist his words, claiming he spewed points of view with which they disagree. All Kirk did was try to have thoughtful dialogues with those confined to limited ideas, surrounded by echo chambers that affirm only one narrative. When presented with different opinions, facts and perspectives, their eyes were opened. It’s like stepping out of a dark movie theater into blinding sunlight — the shock is real, the adjustment painful. That’s the point of free speech: to illuminate, not to indoctrinate. Kirk exposed truths that the establishment would rather not discuss. He highlighted our loss of values, the failures of globalist governments, the absurdities of woke ideology and the erosion of personal responsibility. He didn’t force conclusions; instead, he allowed others to reach them on their own, even while trying to prove him wrong. And for many, it was a revelation. Students who continuously regurgitated progressive talking points began questioning them. Debates turned into discussions, and minds expanded. Kirk performed a vital service; he was no threat (except to those in power). In a world where elites control the discourse, Kirk used free speech to empower individuals, to break the chains of conformity. He reminded us that ideas should be freely tested in the open, not censored in the shadows. The value of free speech is once again being thrust upon the American people and the world. Will we wake up to the indoctrination machine that’s churning out division and violence, or will we let it continue? The left’s political rhetoric has long advocated for “punching Nazis” and silencing “deplorables,” but now it has cost another life. In the end, Kirk’s legacy is one of courage. He paid the ultimate price not because he was wrong, but because he was right and was unafraid to say it. As we mourn him, let’s honor his memory by ensuring that free speech doesn’t become a luxury few can afford. Because if it does, America as we know it will be lost. Shaun McCutcheon is chairman of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation. An avid free speech advocate, he was also the successful plaintiff in the 2014 Supreme Court case McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission. Editors Note: This op-ed was originally published in The Daily News Online. You can read this op-ed and explore their other news content by clicking here. 

Hate Map

Tyler Robinson

Tyler Robinson is accused of carrying out a politically motivated attack that resulted in the assassination of TPUSA Founder Charlie Kirk during a public event at Utah Valley University — an act that authorities allege was premeditated and driven by ideological extremism. This case underscores the New Tolerance Campaign’s concern that radicalized rhetoric and dehumanization of political opponents can translate into real-world violence. While Robinson has been charged with multiple serious crimes, the case remains ongoing and all allegations are unproven. The incident highlights the urgent need to confront political hatred before it escalates into tragedy.

News

Feds Launch Probe of House Democrat’s Campaign Spending

The Federal Election Commission confirmed it opened an investigation into Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., for allegedly taking illegal campaign contributions and attempting to conceal them from required federal reporting. The FEC is responding to a complaint from conservative advocacy group the Coolidge Reagan Foundation based on a separate investigation done by an internal congressional watchdog. The complaint is under review and will be “referred to the Enforcement Division of the Office of the General Counsel,” wrote Wanda D. Brown, assistant general counsel for complaints examination and legal administration at the FEC, in an Aug. 19 letter to the foundation. The FEC review is in addition to a pending House Ethics Committee probe of the Florida congresswoman stemming from the same internal congressional watchdog investigation. “Money has moved around a web of entities with a bunch of family members on the boards [of those entities],” Dan Backer, a Washington lawyer representing the Coolidge Reagan Foundation, told The Daily Signal. In its FEC complaint, the foundation alleges 12 violations against Cherfilus-McCormick. Click here to read the full news story.

2026 Victories, Congressional & Candidate Complaints, Election Integrity & Accountability

Former Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Resigns in Disgrace After Defrauding Florida Taxpayers

The Coolidge Reagan Foundation filed an FEC complaint and a criminal referral to the Florida Attorney General against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for alleged fraud, embezzlement, and campaign finance violations. The FEC complaint detailed how Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign accepted more than $150,000 in illegal, unreported in-kind contributions from the nonprofit Truth & Justice, Inc. The funds were used to cover printing and mailing costs her campaign could not afford, which is prohibited under federal law. The criminal referral outlined how Cherfilus-McCormick, as CEO of Trinity Healthcare Services, exploited a state payment error to divert nearly $5 million in taxpayer funds for personal use, funneling much of it into her campaign through entities she controlled.  Together, these filings exposed a pattern of corruption, calling for Cherfilus-McCormick to be held accountable for defrauding Florida taxpayers and federal election law. On April 21, 2026 Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida resigned from Congress, minutes before the House Ethics Committee was set to vote on potential expulsion. [ Florida AG Complaint ] [ OCE Complaint ] [ FEC COMPLAINT ]

News

Jasmine Crockett faces FEC complaint over ActBlue donations

A conservative group filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) over ActBlue donations that allegedly violated federal election law. The complaint, filed with the FEC late last month by the Coolidge Reagan Foundation, accuses the congresswoman’s campaign of failing to disclose a contributor’s identity properly and accepting contributions in the name of another. Click here to read the full news story.

Congressional & Candidate Complaints, Election Integrity & Accountability

Complaints Against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett Cite Suspicious Donations and Violent Rhetoric

From questionable social media posts to suspicious donations, Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s conduct demonstrated potential violations of the Voting Rights Act and federal campaign finance laws. Our Department of Justice (DOJ) complaint cited a video Crockett posted depicting cartoon versions of herself and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez violently attacking a Republican voter, which could be classified as voter intimidation under federal law. The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) complaint outlined a disturbing pattern of violent and inflammatory rhetoric, including Crockett’s public vow of “full-on combat” with the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—and connected that rhetoric to incidents of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint exposed suspicious ActBlue donations to Crockett’s campaign, including numerous transactions allegedly made Complaints Against Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) Cite Suspicious Donations and Violent Rhetoric without the donors’ knowledge, raising serious questions about transparency and compliance with campaign finance rules. [ DOJ Complaint ] [ OCE Complaint ] [ FEC COMPLAINT ]

Amicus Briefs

Amicus Brief to Defend Election Integrity and State Authority to Verify Voter Eligibility

The Coolidge Reagan Foundation joined the Alabama Republican Party, and Alabama Republican National Committeeman Bill Harris in filing an amicus brief supporting Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen’s efforts to verify voter eligibility and protect the integrity of the state’s elections. In response to legal challenges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and voting rights organizations, the Foundation argued that the National Voter Registration Act does not prohibit states from requesting citizenship verification from registered voters whose government records indicate potential ineligibility. The brief further defended the authority of election officials to investigate suspected violations of election law without automatically constituting unlawful voter intimidation. The Foundation urged the federal court to dismiss the Justice Department’s complaint and specific claims brought by the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, reaffirming its commitment to lawful elections, accurate voter rolls, and protecting the voting rights of eligible American citizens. [ AMICUS BRIEF ]

2024 Victories, Amicus Briefs

Amicus Brief in Opposition to Free Speech Lawfare in New Hampshire

The Coolidge Reagan Foundation filed an amicus brief in League of Women Voters of New Hampshire v. Kramer, a case involving AI-generated “Biden” robocalls that urged voters to skip the state’s Democratic primary. Our brief defended a clear principle: the Voting Rights Act forbids intimidation, not political persuasion. We argued that Section 11(b) does not create a private right of action, meaning activist groups cannot weaponize it to silence political speech. Expanding it to cover misleading or controversial messages would turn protected speech into a federal crime. Free speech is the cornerstone of democracy—even if some may find it offensive or confusing. Efforts to stretch voting laws beyond their text threaten both the First Amendment and the integrity of legitimate election enforcement. [ AMICUS BRIEF ]

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