Lawmakers call for IRS scrutiny of Trump-backed nonprofit that aids Jan. 6 rioters

Congressional Democrats are raising alarms about a nonprofit group that provides financial support for defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, questioning whether the organization's apparent support for Donald Trump's presidential campaign may violate federal tax law.

The group, known as the Patriot Freedom Project, launched in response to the arrest of a Jan. 6 rioter known for promoting extreme racist, antisemitic and pro-Nazi views. The group's leaders describe Jan. 6 defendants as "political prisoners" and have developed a close relationship with Trump and his 2024 presidential campaign. The former president has embraced defendants charged in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, calling them "hostages" and promising to issue pardons to defendants if he wins the 2024 presidential election.

That close relationship has now drawn scrutiny from members of Congress.

Because the Patriot Freedom Project is organized as a nonprofit charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code, it is "absolutely prohibited" by federal law from "directly or indirectly" taking part in partisan political campaigns or endorsing or opposing candidates.

As NPR previously reported, the founder and president of the Patriot Freedom Project, Cynthia Hughes, encouraged people to vote for Trump at one of the group's events held at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in August 2023.

"When you go to the ballot box, don't worry about what you hear in the media. Worry about what's right for this country. And the only thing that's right for this country is this gem," said Hughes as she pointed to Trump, who was standing beside her, according to video of the event posted online.

NPR found other instances in which the