The next time you watch footage of professionally organized demonstrators flooding the streets of Los Angeles, waving matching T-shirts and pre-printed signs while chanting against federal immigration enforcement, there is something worth knowing: you may well have helped pay for it.
New research published Friday reveals that California’s state government has funneled more than $115 million in taxpayer dollars to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles — an organization whose self-described core function is protest organizing, political advocacy, and direct opposition to federal law enforcement.
Independent researcher Cam Higby published his findings on February 21, drawing directly from California’s own public expenditure database at open.fiscal.ca.gov. His analysis focuses on CHIRLA, which has received over $100 million from California state agencies alone, with the total figure across all government sources reaching $115 million.
This is not a fringe accusation or a speculative claim — it is a documented flow of public money, traceable through official state records, to an organization that openly boasts of organizing protests, running voter registration campaigns, and taking credit for specific Newsom administration policies.
🚨🧵CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT PAYING PROTESTORS OVER $100M
I have discovered that the state of California is using taxpayer funds to subsidize non-profit organizations whose core function is to organize protests.
CHIRLA (@CHIRLA) has taken over $100M alone in tax-payer funds… pic.twitter.com/tH85DVGGqB
— Cam Higby 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) February 21, 2026
CHIRLA, founded in 1986, describes itself as “one of the largest and most effective advocates for immigrant rights, organizing, educating and defending immigrants and refugees in the streets, in the courts, and in the halls of power.” That final phrase — “in the streets” — is not rhetorical flourish. The organization’s own website lists a Rapid Response Network explicitly designed to “shut down detention centers,” a high school program that trains students to become political activists, and a college student mobilization effort pushing federal mass amnesty legislation across 30 California universities. CHIRLA also operates an affiliate organization in Mexico and a separate political action fund through which it endorses candidates.
The political entanglement runs deep. Higby’s investigation revealed that CHIRLA made nearly 100,000 voter contacts during the 2020 election cycle — what the organization openly classifies as “get-out-the-vote” work. If any portion of the $100-million-plus in state funds supported those activities, it would potentially constitute an illegal use of public money for electioneering.
Federal and state law generally prohibit the use of government grants to fund partisan political activities. Higby explicitly flagged the issue in his reporting, calling the possible violation “serious.”
The funding scandal is not entirely new — it has been building since last summer. When anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles turned into full-scale rioting in June 2025, RedState journalist Jennifer Van Laar traced the money and found that CHIRLA had received approximately $34 million from California state agencies in just the fiscal year ending June 2023 — nearly three times what it received the prior year.
The agencies contributing to that funding stream included the California Department of Social Services, the California Arts Council, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and — remarkably — the Department of Homeland Security, the very federal agency CHIRLA’s network was actively working to obstruct. Seventy-five percent of CHIRLA’s total revenue in that fiscal year came from government contracts.
Congress took notice. The House Judiciary Committee opened a formal investigation into CHIRLA’s use of public funds, requesting all documents and communications relating to federal funding and demanding a detailed accounting of how those funds were spent. Senator Josh Hawley launched a parallel inquiry, writing directly to CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas and noting that credible evidence suggested the group had provided logistical support and financial resources to individuals involved in the riots.
IRS records obtained by Fox News showed CHIRLA had received $34 million in government grants, including three separate grants from the Biden administration totaling $750,000. President Trump subsequently cut federal funding to the organization, though California state money continued to flow.
Representative Kevin Kiley, a California Republican, introduced the No Tax Dollars for Riots Act in direct response to the revelations. President Trump endorsed the bill in a Truth Social post, writing that “these radicalized groups” get “paid to incite riots, burn down or destroy a city, then come back to the trough to get money to help rebuild it.”
The Trump administration instructed that no federal funds go to such groups regardless of whether Congress passed the legislation. California Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez formally requested a state audit, saying there was “zero excuse” for taxpayer money to fund activities connected to the riots.
What Higby’s new report adds to that picture is scale and pattern. The $34 million figure from the 2023 fiscal year was alarming enough. The cumulative $115 million total, drawn from years of state expenditure records, reframes the picture entirely. This was not an accident of bureaucratic mismanagement or a one-time grant that slipped through the cracks. It represents a sustained, multi-year financial relationship between the Newsom administration and an organization that openly coordinates street protests, trains high school students as political operatives, runs candidate endorsement machinery through its action fund, and maintains a hotline network that actively alerts illegal immigrants to the movements of federal immigration agents. Higby says CHIRLA is only the first organization in a longer list he intends to expose.
The question this raises is not merely about bad policy or misplaced priorities. It is about whether California’s government has been systematically using public revenue to build and sustain infrastructure for political protest movements — infrastructure that then serves to oppose the policies of a federal administration Gavin Newsom has made no secret of despising.
Whether that constitutes a legal violation, a profound conflict of interest, or simply the most brazen example yet of a blue-state government operating as an opposition political machine is a question that congressional investigators, state auditors, and — ultimately — California voters are going to have to answer for themselves. The money trail, at least, is no longer a theory. It’s a public record.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
