In a stunning revelation, it has come to light that Greenpeace, a self-proclaimed environmental watchdog, has received taxpayer-funded support through the Tides Foundation, backed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This funding, meant for international aid and development, has instead fueled destructive campaigns against American energy independence, private property rights, and economic prosperity.
Between 2016 and 2019, the Tides Center, a sister organization to the Tides Foundation, received $1.5 million from USAID for a global transparency initiative. More recently, reports indicate USAID granted the Tides Center $24.7 million, of which millions were funneled to radical organizations, including Greenpeace. Rather than advancing global development, these funds have supported unlawful activism aimed at sabotaging American energy projects.
A prime example of this destructive activism was the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests in North Dakota.
Greenpeace played a leading role, mobilizing activists who trespassed on private property, vandalized equipment, and disrupted lawful commerce. These protests, portrayed as peaceful by the mainstream media, caused millions in damages and left the state to shoulder over $38 million in law enforcement costs. Property owners faced destruction and intimidation, and vital energy infrastructure was attacked – all under the banner of environmental justice and free speech.
But here’s the most infuriating part: American taxpayers, through USAID grants passed through the Tides Foundation, indirectly bankrolled this chaos. This is a betrayal of public trust. USAID’s mission is to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity abroad, not fund eco-terrorism that threatens American livelihoods at home.
Greenpeace’s tactics during the DAPL protests were not about protecting the environment but about pushing a radical agenda at any cost. Their actions were unlawful, destructive, and deeply harmful to the hardworking Americans who rely on affordable energy. North Dakotans, landowners, and small businesses paid the price, while Greenpeace has, to date, escaped accountability.
Greenpeace argues that their actions are protected under the First Amendment, but the First Amendment guarantees the right of free speech – not the right to destroy private property. Vandalism, trespassing, and destruction are not forms of protected expression; they are crimes. Energy Transfer, the developer of DAPL, has even filed a lawsuit seeking $300 million in damages from Greenpeace, alleging defamation and incitement of criminal activities.
Congress must launch a full investigation into USAID’s funding practices, ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is spent as intended – to promote development abroad, not destruction at home.
Moreover, it is time for policymakers to rethink support for organizations like the Tides Foundation, which operate as financial pass-throughs for radical causes. Transparency and accountability are essential. American taxpayers deserve to know if their money is enabling groups that destroy property, disrupt livelihoods, and drive up the cost of energy.
Energy isn’t part of the American economy, it’s the heart of our economy. Pipelines like DAPL safely transport affordable, American-produced oil, reducing our dependence on foreign sources and lowering fuel costs. Attacks on these projects are attacks on American families, workers and economic security.
As energy costs climb and inflation squeezes household budgets, it is especially outrageous to learn that taxpayer dollars have been used to undermine domestic energy projects. The American people should be furious. Their hard-earned money should support initiatives that create jobs, lower energy costs, and strengthen our economy – not fund chaos, destruction, and lawlessness.
This is a call to action. Congress must act swiftly to investigate, defund, and hold accountable those who misuse public funds to attack American energy. Greenpeace should be forced to answer for the damage it has caused. And American taxpayers should demand assurances that their money will never again be used to weaken our nation’s energy security.
The time for accountability is now. American energy is under siege, and taxpayers should no longer be complicit in funding its enemies.
