COMMENTARY China

Make “Protesters” Paid By Foreign Groups Register Like Foreign Agents

Sep 26, 2025 1 min read

Commentary By

Brent Sadler @brentdsadler

Senior Research Fellow, Allison Center for National Security

Hans A. von Spakovsky @HvonSpakovsky

Former Election Law Reform Initiative Manager, Senior Legal Fellow

Mike Gonzalez @Gundisalvus

Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum Senior Fellow

Code Pink, financed by backers in China, demonstrates in Cleveland, Ohio on July 17, 2016. vichinterlang / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

When most people hear the word “mercenary,” they conjure up images of shady men protecting corrupt regimes.

We should be concerned about interference by mercenaries funded by hostile foreign governments and nationals to manipulate public opinion.

Code Pink, financed by backers in China, has disrupted many public events over the years, including a March 2025 Congressional hearing.

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When most people hear the word “mercenary,” they conjure up images of shady men protecting corrupt regimes. Today, however, another mercenary prowls our streets: the paid protester.

A crucial element of the democratic process is free speech, debate, and yes, civil protests about public policy. But we should be concerned about interference by mercenaries funded by hostile foreign governments and nationals to manipulate public opinion, create costly public disturbances, and unduly influence government officials and institutions.

These American mercenaries are employed to shout slogans and disrupt political events, government operations, academia, and institutions. For instance, Code Pink, financed by backers in China, has disrupted many public events over the years, including a March 2025 Congressional hearing.

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Read the rest of the piece in The Federalist.