Florida AG Says He Subpoenaed DSA Over Foreign Contributions

Status: This account is attributed to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. A subpoena is a records demand, not an accusation and not a finding that anyone broke the law. Uthmeier announced no charges and no investigative conclusions. AFNS found no public response from the Democratic Socialists of America as of Tuesday afternoon.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Tuesday that his office "issued a subpoena to the Democratic Socialists of America," according to a post on his official X account that also included a video statement. "We're examining foreign contributions—including from Cuba and China—tied to their delegations and travel fund solicitations," Uthmeier said in the post. "FL law requires transparency. We will hold those who break the law accountable."

Florida's Voice, citing the same video, reported additional remarks Uthmeier made in the announcement. "Floridians who give to organizations operating in our state have a right to know where that money comes from and how it is used," he said, according to Florida's Voice. The outlet reported that he said his office issued an investigative subpoena under Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and state laws governing the solicitation of funds, and that investigators are examining whether DSA accepted contributions or support from "foreign sources of concern, including the regimes in Cuba and China," and whether fundraising from Florida donors has been "fully transparent and lawful." Florida's Voice also reported that Uthmeier said the inquiry covers recent DSA delegations to Cuba, "where national leaders and national political committee members met with Cuban government officials, as well as a delegation to China," and "travel fund solicitations that sought tens of thousands of dollars" for those trips, including activities involving Florida chapters. "We will follow the facts, we will enforce the law, and we will not allow foreign adversaries to influence Florida through the back door of nonprofit fundraising," he said, according to the outlet.

Those are Uthmeier's statements about what his office is examining. They are not findings, and they have not been tested in court. A subpoena requires the production of records or testimony; it does not itself establish that foreign money was accepted or that Florida law was violated. Uthmeier did not announce charges or name any individual as a defendant.

AFNS found no public statement from DSA responding to the subpoena as of Tuesday afternoon. Florida's Voice did not report a response from the group.