Defeated progressive ‘Squad’ lawmaker in hot seat for non-profit’s missing paper trail
Months before losing reelection, former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., touted her nonprofit’s work to donors, even though records showed the organization may never have been registered as a tax-exempt organization.
In a fundraising email, Bush described Poltivist Power Inc. as “a new 501(c)(4) organization that combines grassroots organizing with political strategy to fight oppression.”
“My team and I are on the ground and we need your support. Can we count on you to donate to our hurricane fund today so we can continue our relief efforts?” Bush wrote.
Former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., attends a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Bush made the same description in his second fundraising email in as many weeks.
However, Fox News Digital was unable to locate any IRS records showing Poltivist Power obtaining or claiming tax-exempt status. Although not evidence of wrongdoing, the lack of documentation on Bush’s organization raises questions about whether the former “Squad” member misled donors during his time in office.
Without the report, it’s unclear how much donations the group has raised.
Bush, who first came to Congress in 2021, was known for his progressive stances, which grouped him among fellow Democrats like Representatives. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezIlhan Omar, D-Minn., Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
Among these, Bush began to take a critical view of US relations with Israel in the midst of their long-standing relationship. War with Hamas in Gaza. His criticisms became a hot topic in the 2024 primary, a race he lost to Democratic challenger Wesley Bell.
No longer in office, Bush remained involved in progressive policies on his domestic stage.
Poltivist Power Inc. When approached about the issue, Bush did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment about whether Poltivist Power had received donations, why it had not yet reported 990, and the nature of its activities.
The organization’s domain, Poltivistpower.comRecords show it was first purchased on April 1, 2025. Bush said the group was founded in St. He announced it on the heels of a tornado that hit the St. Louis area, killing at least four people and causing widespread damage.
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“The politico team is on the ground, providing supplies, checking on families and helping those left behind,” Bush said.
Since then, in addition to not having an application on file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the group appears to have filed paperwork with the Delaware Secretary of State and ActBlue Civics in error. Fundraising site for Democratic groups.
Poltivist Power was registered as an “exempt” corporation on its March 2025 Delaware incorporation filing; Delaware says this designation is reserved for entities that meet the requirements of Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code.
In both cases, the application requires tax-exempt status with the IRS. organization still listed ActBlue is on Civics.
Bush’s fundraising emails, the organization emphasized, also included a disclaimer that “Contributions to Politivist Action are not affiliated with Politivist Action PAC and are not political donations.” The note distinguishes nonprofit from private organizations. fundraising group with the same name.
Despite Bush’s departure from Congress, enough anomalies regarding the Politivist Power surfaced earlier this month to attract the attention of Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway.
He announced that his office would investigate whether Bush personally benefited from fundraising efforts during the hurricane recovery and Politivist’s alleged work at the time.
“The investigation began when a local news station reported that people reported that their contributions to the hurricane relief fund were actually going towards their political activities,” Hanaway said in a statement about the investigation. he said.
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“We don’t have our own evidence of that, but that’s what we’re investigating,” he added.
Bush has not been formally charged with any crime.
Original article source: Defeated progressive ‘Squad’ MP on the hot seat over missing paperwork from nonprofit
