Florida is investigating the Democratic Socialists of America over contributions from China and Cuba and whether the organization accepted “tens of thousands of dollars” to fund DSA delegations to meet with government officials in the two communist countries.
State Attorney General James Uthmeier said he issued a subpoena to the DSA under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and Florida laws governing the solicitation of funds.
“We are examining whether DSA accepted contributions or support from foreign sources of concern, including the regimes in Cuba and China, and whether its fundraising from Florida donors has been fully transparent and lawful,” Mr. Uthmeier said in a video posted Tuesday on social media.
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A 2025 Florida law bans nonprofit organizations from soliciting donations from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria and the now-ousted Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro.
The DSA told The Washington Times: “We are aware of the situation and have no comment at this time.”
The organization is growing in prominence and influence within the U.S.
Six DSA-endorsed candidates won seats in the U.S. House, in addition to several other DSA-aligned candidates who won seats in Congress.
The DSA agenda calls for free government healthcare, implementing the Green New Deal, eliminating the Senate and presidency, and other radical changes to the government.
Delegations from the DSA made trips to Cuba and China last year.
The October 2025 trip to Cuba included 40 elected DSA leaders and members who the organization said met with Cuban workers, doctors, teachers and artists “who keep the country running despite the growing hardship imposed by the U.S. blockade.”
The group also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Fernandez de Cossio.
Five DSA members traveled to China last year to celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory against Japan in World War II.
The trip may have been organized by the office of foreign affairs of Guizhou in Southwest China.
Stu Smith, an investigative analyst who focuses on extremism, testified before Congress in September that the DSA international activities deserve more scrutiny and extend beyond China and Cuba to include Venezuela and North Korea.
“As the DSA continues to expand its international engagements while advancing what it has described as a ‘struggle to dismantle the U.S. empire,’ Congress and the American public should seek a fuller understanding of the organization’s partnerships and political activities,” Mr. Smith told lawmakers on a House Judiciary subcommittee.
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