A coalition of nineteen Republican attorneys general has formally requested the Department of Justice to investigate various U.S.-based nonprofits for potential violations of federal foreign agent regulations. This request comes on the heels of findings that these organizations have reportedly received nearly $2 billion from foreign climate foundations over the last decade. The attorneys general, citing 'substantial evidence,' argue that the funding may have been utilized to sway U.S. energy policy without the proper disclosures mandated under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The attorneys general have specified over 150 organizations that they believe warrant scrutiny, claiming that these groups potentially engaged in practices that undermine the transparency of their operations. The push for investigation has gained traction as these state officials express concerns about the extent to which foreign entities might be influencing domestic climate policies and the potential ramifications for U.S. sovereignty in policymaking.

This initiative emphasizes a growing political battle over climate action and energy policy in the U.S., reflecting broader anxieties among some lawmakers about foreign influence in critical sectors. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for climate advocacy groups and their funding, as well as for federal oversight of nonprofit organizations engaging with foreign entities.