Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that his office issued an investigative subpoena to the Democratic Socialists of America, opening a review of the socialist organization’s fundraising practices and possible support from foreign sources of concern.

The subpoena examines whether DSA, including its Florida chapters, accepted contributions or other assistance from foreign sources of concern. Investigators are also looking at whether fundraising directed toward Florida donors complied with state transparency requirements.

Uthmeier said in a video posted on social media that the subpoena was issued under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and state laws governing the solicitation of funds.

“Floridians who give to organizations operating in our state have a right to know where that money comes from and how it is used. Today, my office issued an investigative subpoena to the Democratic Socialists of America under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and our laws governing the solicitation of funds,” he said.

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“We are examining whether DSA accepted contributions or support from foreign sources of concern, including the regimes in Cuba and China, and whether its fundraising from Florida donors has been fully transparent and lawful. This includes scrutiny of 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.”

The investigation also covers travel fund solicitations that sought tens of thousands of dollars for those trips and related activities involving Florida chapters. Authorities are reviewing the source of the money and whether applicable disclosure requirements were followed.

“Our laws prohibit accepting contributions from foreign sources of concern. They require organizations to be honest and transparent about how money is raised and used.”

Uthmeier said the subpoena is intended to obtain documents needed to determine whether the organization complied with Florida law. “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.”

Today my office issued a subpoena to the Democratic Socialists of America. We’re examining foreign contributions—including from Cuba and China—tied to their delegations and travel fund solicitations.

FL law requires transparency. We will hold those who break the law accountable. https://t.co/Xu8MUoDwZb — Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) November 10, 2026

The inquiry focuses on DSA delegations to Cuba and China. Uthmeier’s statement appears to reference a March convoy involving DSA members that carried medical supplies, school supplies, and solar panels while also involving meetings with Cuban officials.

Other travel under examination includes an October 2025 delegation. The matter involving the delegations and fundraising is also the subject of a separate federal investigation.

Investigators are reviewing solicitations that sought tens of thousands of dollars for the trips and activities connected to Florida chapters. The review is intended to determine where the funds originated and whether the organization complied with disclosure rules.

Florida law, including provisions effective since the middle of 2025, restricts organizations soliciting contributions from Florida residents from accepting donations or anything of value from foreign sources of concern.

Those sources include governments, officials or related parties from designated countries such as the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Cuba. The law applies to charitable solicitations and related fundraising activities.

Violations can carry potential civil and criminal penalties. Uthmeier’s office previously relied on similar legal authorities during an investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center’s fundraising practices.

DSA Communications Director Priscilla Yeverino told reporters that the organization was aware of the subpoena and had no additional comment. No specific individuals were named as targets of the investigation.

The announcement came one week after the 2026 midterm elections, when a candidate backed by DSA won a Florida Legislature seat for the first time, and candidates aligned with DSA made gains elsewhere in the country.

Uthmeier, a Republican, was elected attorney general in those same elections. DSA chapters currently operate in numerous Florida cities, including Miami, Jacksonville, and Orlando, giving the state inquiry a distinctly local target despite its focus on potential foreign support.

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