Citibank disclosed in a recent court filing that the FBI had instructed it to freeze the accounts of organizations once funded under a Biden-era climate program. Those groups include a broad range of community nonprofits—among them Habitat for Humanity, the Coalition for Green Capital, and the DC Green Bank—all allegedly under suspicion of “possible criminal violations,” including “conspiracy to defraud the United States.”
The move comes against the backdrop of a renewed Trump administration, which has tapped Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. On the same day that Citibank revealed it had been asked to freeze the funds, Zeldin ordered the elimination of ten EPA regional offices, as well as the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. The scope of the crackdown extends to multiple nonprofits and state-level green banks.
Organizations targeted in the FBI’s letter had secured EPA grants for climate-related projects under the previous administration—grants that they say were legally awarded to encourage community work.
Among the nonprofits named is Habitat for Humanity, an international housing nonprofit strongly associated with former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn. Carter, well into his 90s, has been famously photographed building homes with the organization.
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Some observers say the FBI’s move appears to be part of a wider strategy to redefine federal grant recipients—especially those involved in climate initiatives—as potential bad actors.
Local green banks, which serve critical roles in helping low-income communities gain access to clean energy financing, have also been singled out. The DC Green Bank, for instance, was named specifically in FBI documents referring to suspected fraud.
The environmental justice community continues to decry what it calls a heavy-handed approach. Many of these nonprofits had spent time applying for and administering grants aimed at reducing pollution in underserved communities or fostering local renewable energy projects. They maintain that no evidence has surfaced to support charges of fraud, beyond a drastic ideological shift in Washington.
Information for this story was found via The New Republic and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
