Transparency’ group linked to left-wing dark money fuels Trump ballot removal effort
A Left-Wing ”Watchdog” Group Behind Colorado Supreme Court’s Unprecedented Move to Remove Trump from 2024 Ballot
A left-wing “watchdog” group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), has been exposed for its hypocritical acceptance of dark money while criticizing secretive donations in politics. The group was responsible for the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 primary election ballot, alleging his involvement in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. However, Trump has appealed the ruling, and the decision is currently on hold due to the Republican Party’s appeal.
Financial disclosures reveal that CREW, which claims to promote transparency and expose secret money and influence, has received substantial funding from influential dark money hubs associated with Democratic megadonors like George Soros. This raises questions about the organization’s true motives and its connections to entities supporting President Joe Biden’s agenda.
Dark Money and Democratic Allies
CREW is not the only organization attempting to prevent Trump’s potential return to the presidency. Free Speech for People and Mi Familia Vota Education Fund, both deeply connected to Democratic-allied entities, are also involved in these efforts. Trump’s legal team has recently appealed a ruling in Maine that removed him from the state’s GOP primary ballot, citing similar allegations of incitement.
CREW’s Origins and Alleged Nonpartisanship
CREW was founded in 2001 by liberal lawyers Norman Eisen and Louis Mayberg. The organization claims to fight for transparency in government and has targeted Republicans through ethics complaints and lawsuits. However, its alleged nonpartisanship is called into question by its financial ties to Democratic donors and its involvement in anti-Trump litigation.
The Dark Money Paradox
While CREW criticizes Republicans for receiving dark money, it has benefited from such funding itself. Between 2017 and 2021, CREW received $2.85 million from the Soros-backed Foundation to Promote Open Society and other dark money groups. The organization has also received support from the Democracy Alliance, a powerful group of wealthy liberals, including Soros and Tom Steyer.
Donor-Advised Funds and Obscured Sources of Funding
CREW has also utilized donor-advised funds, which allow contributors to keep their names out of the public eye. For example, between 2017 and 2022, over $440,000 was transferred from the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund to CREW. However, the largest source of funding for CREW has been the Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund, which provided over $5.9 million from 2020 to 2022.
Partisan Bias and Fundraising
Despite its claims of nonpartisanship, CREW has shown a clear bias against conservatives. The organization has targeted conservative activist Leonard Leo and criticized his ties to right-leaning donor-advised fund Donors Trust. CREW has also received donations from various liberal grantmakers and is currently fundraising on ActBlue, the top Democratic software platform, based on its success in removing Trump from the Colorado ballot.
Overall, CREW’s acceptance of dark money and its connections to Democratic allies raise doubts about its true intentions and its ability to serve as an impartial watchdog organization.
How do the actions of left-wing groups like CREW, Free Speech for People, and Mi Familia Vota Education Fund undermine democratic principles such as fairness and open debate
D Funding Sources
CREW was founded in 2003 by former Democratic Congressional staffer Norman Eisen, who later served as a White House special counsel under the Obama administration. The group claims to be a nonpartisan watchdog organization dedicated to holding government officials accountable for their actions. However, its financial disclosures tell a different story.
According to public records, CREW has received significant funding from dark money organizations closely aligned with Democratic interests. One of its major donors is the Democracy Alliance, a secretive network of progressive donors that includes billionaires such as George Soros. This raises concerns about CREW’s impartiality and highlights the influence that powerful Democratic megadonors hold over the organization.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s Unprecedented Decision
In a highly controversial move, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump was ineligible to appear on the state’s primary election ballot in 2024. The court cited Trump’s alleged role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot as the basis for its decision. However, many legal experts argue that this decision sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the democratic process.
It is crucial to note that the court’s ruling is currently on hold due to the Republican Party’s appeal. Trump’s legal team is challenging the decision, arguing that it violates his First Amendment rights and disregards the principles of due process. Regardless of the final outcome, the Colorado Supreme Court’s unprecedented move raises concerns about the politicization of the judiciary and the erosion of democratic norms.
Implications for Democracy and Free Speech
The actions of left-wing groups like CREW, Free Speech for People, and Mi Familia Vota Education Fund have broader implications for democracy and free speech in the United States. By targeting political opponents and attempting to exclude them from the electoral process, these organizations undermine the principles of fairness and open debate.
In a healthy democracy, citizens should be able to engage in robust political discourse and choose their elected leaders through free and fair elections. However, the actions of these left-wing watchdog groups raise questions about their commitment to these democratic principles. By selectively targeting conservative candidates and using dubious allegations as a pretext for disqualification, they risk stifling dissenting voices and undermining the legitimacy of our electoral process.
Conclusion
The case of CREW’s involvement in the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 primary election ballot highlights the influence of left-wing organizations on our democratic institutions. The group’s acceptance of dark money while criticizing secrecy in politics raises questions about its true motivations and connections to powerful Democratic allies.
At a time when Americans are increasingly concerned about the integrity of our electoral process, it is essential to scrutinize the actions of organizations like CREW and hold them accountable for their actions. Democracy depends on trust and transparency, and any attempt to manipulate the system for partisan gain threatens the very foundations of our democracy.
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