- What Happened: Investigative journalist Cam Higby reports that California has funneled over $100 million in taxpayer funds to CHIRLA, a nonprofit.
- Why It Matters: According to Higby, state expenditure data confirms the payments, and CHIRLA's own website takes credit for influencing Newsom administration policies while organizing protests dating back to 1986.
- Bottom Line: Higby alleges California is effectively subsidizing political activism with public money, raising serious questions about how taxpayer funds are being used in the state.
Investigative journalist Cam Higby is busting the doors wide open when it comes to the state of California, and he says the receipts are right there on the state's own expenditure website.
According to Higby, California has been using taxpayer funds to subsidize nonprofit organizations whose core function is organizing protests and pushing left-wing political advocacy. The biggest example he has uncovered is CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, which Higby says has received over $100 million in California taxpayer funds.
"I have discovered that the state of California is using taxpayer funds to subsidize non-profit organizations whose core function is to organize protests," Higby reported.
🚨🧵CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT PAYING PROTESTORS OVER $100M
— Cam Higby 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) February 21, 2026
I have discovered that the state of California is using taxpayer funds to subsidize non-profit organizations whose core function is to organize protests.
CHIRLA (@CHIRLA) has taken over $100M alone in tax-payer funds… pic.twitter.com/tH85DVGGqB
CHIRLA's own website, according to Higby's investigation, makes no secret of what the organization does. It has been organizing protests and advocating for left-wing policy positions since 1986 and openly takes credit for influencing policies under Governor Gavin Newsom.
To be clear, Higby's findings are based on his review of California's public expenditure data and CHIRLA's own online presence. The state of California and CHIRLA have not publicly responded to his specific allegations. But if the numbers hold up, the implications are significant.
🚨🧵CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT PAYING PROTESTORS OVER $100M
— Cam Higby 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) February 21, 2026
On their website, CHIRLA ADMITS that they engage in electioneering through GOTV and takes direct credit for Newsom's $175M COVID relief aid.
If federal or state funds were used for electioneering, this may be a SERIOUS… pic.twitter.com/8mLIiK0oyY
California is a state where taxpayers are fleeing, costs are skyrocketing, and homelessness is visible on every major street corner. If Higby's reporting is accurate, Newsom's government has been writing nine-figure checks to organizations that spend their time organizing political protests against federal immigration enforcement.
Way to go @camhigby !!!
— Eric Schwalm (@Schwalm5132) February 22, 2026
He established connections showing transfers from the California State Treasury directly to protest organizations.
This isn't "dark money" from some hidden foreign entity.
This is state tax dollars funded by California citizens (and likely money from… https://t.co/QHUgb4JuyO
Gavin Newsom has built a political brand on the idea that he fights for the little guy. Apparently that fight costs California taxpayers over $100 million and counting.

