A Deep State dilemma – NaturalNews.com

• EU Commission paid OCCRP €600,000 after the 2024 European elections.
• OCCRP was accused of orchestrating smear campaigns against conservative politicians.
• USAID previously funded OCCRP but cut off support after Trump’s reelection.
• OCCRP’s co-founder admitted to helping topple governments.
• OCCRP played a role in Trump’s first impeachment and EU smear campaigns.

The European Commission quietly transferred over €600,000 to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) shortly after the 2024 European elections, according to a Berliner Zeitung report based on a parliamentary inquiry by AfD MEP Petr Bystron. This follows the disengagement of the U.S. government, which had previously provided substantial funding through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The move raises significant concerns about the influence of unaccountable organizations on democratic processes and the role of the deep state.

Critics argue that the funding represents a payoff for the OCCRP’s role in orchestrating smear campaigns against conservative and EU-sceptic politicians during the election. For decades, OCCRP has been financed by Western governments, initially through USAID, with the funds often channeled through a network of European media outlets. In 2024, following President Donald Trump’s reelection, the U.S. government, led by Trump, cut off OCCRP’s funding, identifying the group as a political weapon. With USAID support withdrawn, the EU has stepped in to fill the void, channeling subsidies into what critics claim is a propaganda arm for the EU establishment.

OCCRP’s tentacles reach deep into western governments

The OCCRP, co-founded by Drew Sullivan, has a record of zealous activism across continents. Sullivan openly admitted in a censored German NDR documentary, later removed under pressure, that OCCRP had helped topple governments in “five to six countries.” These actions have been characterized not as investigative journalism, but as open political interference.

OCCRP’s role in the impeachment of President Donald Trump in 2019 was well-documented. Michael Shellenberger, an investigative journalist, testified earlier in 2025 that OCCRP materials were cited four times in the CIA whistleblower complaint that set the impeachment proceedings in motion. Shellenberger noted that USAID and the State Department directly supervised OCCRP operations, including budget approvals and personnel decisions, indicating that OCCRP was far from independent. Instead, it operated as a partisan tool, overseen by U.S. intelligence agencies.

EU campaigns target opponents of the Ukraine war

In Europe, OCCRP’s partner outlets launched a pre-election campaign against critics of the Ukraine war, branding opposition media figures as “Moscow’s agents.” The targeted politicians included former Czech President Václav Klaus, former Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda and AfD candidate Petr Bystron, who endured 23 police raids on his home and offices following the OCCRP’s “research.” Despite the absence of any charges or evidence, the campaigns proved politically damaging. Bystron described the payment, made immediately after the elections, as “paying off” those who had largely influenced the outcome.

Political warfare masquerading as investigative journalism

The OCCRP has become a conduit for political warfare masquerading as investigative journalism. Critics argue that the organization’s operatives have increasingly shifted from uncovering organized crime to undermining political opponents through coordinated smears and innuendo. This shift is further emphasized by the EU’s financial lifeline to OCCRP following the stoppage of U.S. funding. For opponents, OCCRP’s transformation from a U.S.-backed proxy into a tool of the EU establishment represents a significant escalation in the use of media as a political weapon.

Why this matters now

The OCCRP’s recent funding by the European Commission raises significant ethical and democratic questions. The organization’s history of government oversight and involvement in political campaigns underscores the dangers of conflating investigative journalism with partisan activism. The influx of EU funds not only deepens OCCRP’s reach but also underscores ongoing concerns about the manipulation of democratic processes. In an era where public trust in media is at a premium, such revelations serve as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in funding sources.

This story is not just about the OCCRP; it is a broader exploration of the implications of deep state interference in democratic elections and the role that taxpayer-funded organizations play in shaping political narratives. The continued involvement of government entities in subsidizing ostensibly independent journalism raises uncomfortable questions about the state of press freedom and the balance between public interest and political agendas.

The escalating power of propaganda over journalism

The OCCRP’s transformation from a U.S. proxy to a Brussels-backed propaganda tool highlights the growing influence of government-financed media operations. While Western policymakers may justify these funds as necessary for combatting corruption and organized crime, the ethical concerns surrounding the manipulation of democratic processes cannot be ignored. As the OCCRP continues to receive EU backing, it is crucial that the public and policymakers remain vigilant, ensuring that investigative journalism remains a force for truth rather than a weapon in the deep state’s arsenal.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

InfoWars.com

BorderHawk.news