Paid Agitators and Foreign Influence: Raising the Legal Stakes
National security officials are sounding the alarm: Some of the biggest, most destructive protests are not spontaneous. There’s growing evidence (see DHS Bulletin) that bad actors, including foreign states like the CCP, are bankrolling and organizing violence.
- If you coordinate with or knowingly follow the direction of paid agitators, you risk federal charges—especially if interstate or foreign elements are involved.
Can You Be Prosecuted for What Others Do?
Not automatically—but the window for plausible deniability is shrinking. The legal line is crossed if you:
- Encourage, assist, or hide criminals,
- Remain after dispersal orders,
- Or are caught on tape actively contributing to the chaos.
Remember: Prosecutors may try to argue that anyone who stays is making it harder for police to isolate violent actors—essentially “aiding and abetting” by default.
Final Warning: Your Rights Aren’t Absolute
The First Amendment protects peaceful protest, but not:
