A new analysis by The Independent reveals that the Capital Research Center (CRC), a conservative nonprofit, has played a significant role in shaping the Trump administration’s policies and investigations targeting Democratic-aligned groups and progressive causes. The CRC, led by Scott Walter, has been providing research and information to White House officials and federal agencies, often underpinning legal actions and policy decisions aimed at groups associated with the Democratic Party or progressive causes. In September 2025, a lawyer in the deputy attorney general’s office instructed multiple U.S. attorneys to investigate a George Soros-funded foundation, citing a CRC report as evidence. This pattern of using CRC research is evident in various areas, including climate policy, where the CRC has filled a void left by the sidelining of traditional scientific and regulatory experts. The CRC’s influence extends to congressional Republicans, who have relied on its research to support arguments against environmental regulations and to justify investigations into progressive organizations. For instance, House Republicans have cited CRC materials in hearings on climate grants and in efforts to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency. The CRC’s work has also been referenced in federal court cases and congressional testimony. However, the organization’s research has come under scrutiny, with reports indicating that some of its findings have not withstood factual or legal scrutiny. For example, a CRC report on the Soros network claimed links to criminal activity, but legal experts noted that the report did not establish that any group knowingly funded illegal activities. The CRC’s relationship with the White House dates back to early 2025, when Walter reportedly briefed senior officials on Democratic donors and nonprofit groups. At that time, the White House was reportedly exploring ways to legally undermine the Democratic Party’s infrastructure, including its fundraising mechanisms. Walter’s research, which included materials on ActBlue and the Arabella Advisors network, was shared with officials. In the months following the assassination of MAGA activist Charlie Kirk, Stephen Miller, the deputy White House chief of staff, pushed for aggressive action against groups the administration blamed for Kirk’s death. While Miller’s efforts to criminalize opposition groups have not yielded significant results, the CRC’s research has become a key source of information for Republican-led agencies and lawmakers. The CRC’s influence is further underscored by its financial backing from major conservative foundations, including Donors Trust and the Sarah Scaife Foundation. Its research, however, has not always been neutral, particularly on climate science and public health issues. Past reports have compared the scientific consensus on climate change to discredited historical pseudoscience, and the group has been linked to efforts to undermine anti-smoking campaigns. Its work has also been cited in election conspiracy theories, including the film 2000 Mules. Despite its role in shaping policy and legal actions, the CRC has maintained a stance against donor disclosure, arguing that it protects the privacy of individuals and groups it disagrees with.