A bombshell claim just dropped from inside the federal government — and if it holds up, it could reshape the national debate over protest, political violence, and nonprofit oversight.
Speaking on The Dan Bongino Show, Kash Patel revealed that the FBI under President Donald Trump has been conducting a financial investigation into how demonstrations linked to the loosely organized far-left movement known as Antifa are funded.
“These organizations don’t operate alone or in silence,” Patel said. “They operate with a heavy, heavy stream of funding. And we started looking into it, and guess what? We found them.”
Patel did not name specific donors, financial institutions, or nonprofit groups. He did confirm, however, that federal agents are examining whether funding flowed through U.S.-based nonprofit organizations — including some with tax-exempt status — and whether any foreign sources were involved. He indicated more information could surface in the coming months as the investigation develops.
If substantiated, the implications would be enormous.
Antifa has long described itself as an idea rather than a centralized organization. Its participants often operate in decentralized networks, frequently masked, and without a publicly identifiable leadership structure. Yet coordinated violence has erupted in multiple cities over the years.
In 2020, Portland experienced more than 100 consecutive nights of unrest. Minneapolis saw widespread destruction following the death of George Floyd. Federal buildings were targeted. Law enforcement officers were injured. Businesses were looted and burned. Insurance estimates placed the total damage from the so-called Summer of Love riots in the billions of dollars.
Critics have argued for years that sustained activity on that scale requires financial backing. Travel, communications infrastructure, protective equipment, bail funds, and legal defense all come at a cost.
Until now, federal authorities had not publicly confirmed tracing a centralized funding stream tied to criminal acts.
🚨 BREAKING: FBI Director Kash Patel tells Dan Bongino a “major discovery” was made on Antifa funding streams.
“Wait until you see what’s coming in the next month or two,” he says.
He claims investigators tracked the money and “FOUND them.”pic.twitter.com/zr48K05U75
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) February 18, 2026
Patel drew a clear distinction between peaceful protest — a constitutional right — and organized violence. According to him, the investigation centers on financial support connected specifically to criminal activity. The FBI has reportedly established a dedicated program focused on following money tied to coordinated street violence, reviewing nonprofit financial flows and potential foreign backers.
Notably, Patel did not accuse George Soros, China, or any specific foundation. He also stopped short of previewing indictments. Instead, he stated that investigators located financial “pipelines,” with further details to come.
That distinction is critical.
Federal law prohibits nonprofit organizations from supporting criminal conduct. If charitable funds were knowingly diverted to finance violence, material support statutes, conspiracy charges, or even RICO provisions could apply. But if evidence fails to substantiate those links, the claims will not withstand scrutiny.
The stakes extend far beyond Antifa. Any confirmed finding of coordinated funding behind organized street violence would significantly alter how Americans view protest movements, nonprofit transparency, and political agitation networks.
President Donald Trump previously labeled Antifa a domestic terrorist organization — a move that sparked debate over legal authority and definitions. Patel’s investigation shifts the focus from rhetoric to financial infrastructure.
If indictments follow, lawmakers will face mounting pressure to tighten nonprofit oversight. If they do not, critics will accuse federal authorities of overreach.
The coming months may determine which narrative prevails.
Americans deserve clarity. Peaceful protest is protected. Coordinated violence is not. If organized funding fueled destruction in American cities, those responsible must answer under the law. If the evidence does not support the claim, the public deserves that truth as well.
