by Staff Writer
In today’s digital world, even a small action—like a $50 political donation or a social media connection—can pull back the curtain on much bigger, more complicated networks. Consider the case of Joseph Morman, a former firmware engineer at Blue Origin. His story shows how the tiniest clues can reveal ties to politically sensitive and potentially extremist groups, raising serious questions about national security.
Small Beginnings: A Political Donation
It all started with a small $50 donation which Morman gave to Geoff Young, a candidate known for openly supporting Russia and being part of the Larouche movement. Young’s campaign had support from a range of controversial groups and individuals who share his pro-Russian, conspiracist views. The donation was made under the name “Movement for People’s Democracy” (MPD), a shell organization linked to the Party of Communists USA (PCUSA), which itself is a front for Caleb Maupin’s CPI a Larouche friendly organization.
Unmasking the Shells
The investigation into Morman’s affiliations revealed a broader pattern of connections and shells organizations. Many shells tied to the PCUSA and the Larouche network operate under the guise of promoting workers’ rights, anti-imperialism, and peace.
MPD isn’t operating in isolation. It was connected to other groups like the American Students Union (ASU) and the US Friends of Soviet People (USFSP).
https://usfriendsofthesovietpeople.info/
https://americanstudentunion.org/
https://movementforpeoplesdemocracy.us/
In reality, all the MPD linked organizations are part of a group of shells for Alex Dillard and Chris Bovet of the Party of Communists USA. This article linked covers a lawsuit and the deceptive relationships among various “communist” entities in the U.S. The article details all the connections between the “organizations” including a shared website.
https://socialistmag.us/2023/07/16/when-communists-sue-communists/
In May 2023, a lawsuit was filed against the American Council of Bolsheviks (ACB) by Ideological Fightback, Inc., claiming to represent The Party of Communists, USA (PCUSA). This party was formed in 2014 by Dr. Angelo D’Angelo after a split from the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). The lawsuit centres on a dispute over online assets and trademark infringement.
On the surface, these organizations seem focussed on “progressive” goals—anti-imperialism, climate change, and workers’ rights. But digging deeper revealed ties to the controversial Larouche network, led by Helga Zepp-Larouche and rooted in a cult-like movement that promotes Kremlin-aligned narratives and thrives on political confusion.
Many of these shell sites appear to mask The Center for Political Innovation, associated with Caleb Maupin, who has various controversies tied to his name. The original reason for the PCUSA and ACB split included accusations against PCUSA leadership, such as defending alleged criminals.
Caleb Maupin is a regular guest on Russian Television, and has provided a platform for people such as Jackson Hinkle and has been accused of running a cult like operation at the far-left organisation the CPI (Center for Political Innovation). His career started at the WWP (Workers World Party) working for Ramsey Clarke, an international lawyer with a history of defending genocidal dictators and other characters such as Lyndon Larouche with whom he had a close relationship.
Full details of Caleb Maupins career working as a pro-Russian youtuber and activist can be found here:
https://breadtube.fandom.com/wiki/Caleb_Maupin
A Deeper Look: Morman’s Profile
Morman spent four years at Blue Origin, working on avionics for the Blue Shepherd space program. Although there’s no direct evidence that he leaked sensitive information, his affiliations posed a risk. His limited online presence connected him with Marxist friends and MPD-linked accounts. He also gave money to Nikkita Oliver, a Seattle candidate associated with socialist figure Kshama Sawant. None of these donations alone seem suspicious, but together they hint at deeper connections and intentions.
His Facebook profile, for example, included known Marxist acquaintances like Karen Niles, an administrator for the MPD’s main site. A simple friend connection might not mean much on its own, but in the world of national security, every detail counts.
The LaRouche Movement: A Cult Bridging Political Extremes
Lyndon LaRouche and his wife, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, are best known for running the far-right, cult-like LaRouche movement, promoting conspiracy theories, and advancing pro-Kremlin and pro-Chinese Communist Party narratives. Helga established the Schiller Institute in 1984, which fights against “international financial institutions and other supranational bodies (without naming any)” and their perceived “tyranny.”
The movement consists of these main institutions:
- National Caucus of Labor Committees (NCLC)
• Origins and Core Group: Founded in the late 1960s, the NCLC is the original political/ideological core of LaRouche’s movement.
• Activities: Initially involved in leftist student activism, it eventually evolved into a network promoting Larouche’s economic and political theories.
• Publications: LaRouche’s supporters organized study groups, produced pamphlets, and circulated policy papers. - U.S. Labor Party
• Political Arm of the NCLC: Formed in the early 1970s as a vehicle for LaRouche and his followers to run for office and influence public debate.
• Notable Campaigns: LaRouche ran for U.S. President multiple times (often via the U.S. Labor Party in the 1970s before switching to Democratic Party primaries). - Executive Intelligence Review (EIR)
• Weekly News Magazine: Founded by LaRouche in 1974, EIR presents political, economic, and strategic analyses aligned with Larouche’s worldview.
• Intelligence-Gathering: The publication claims to run investigative journalism and foreign policy research, often focusing on conspiratorial interpretations of world events. - The Fusion Energy Foundation (FEF)
• Focus on Science and Technology: Established in the 1970s to promote nuclear fusion research and other high-technology projects.
• Advocacy: Pushed for large-scale government investments in energy and infrastructure, reflecting LaRouche’s emphasis on “science-driver” economic policy. - Schiller Institute
• Founded by Helga Zepp-LaRouche: Established in the early 1980s by LaRouche’s wife. Named after German poet Friedrich Schiller, it promotes cultural and political dialogues.
• Global Outreach: Organizes conferences on economic development, classical culture, and strategic issues, reflecting the movement’s international ambitions. - LaRouche Political Action Committee (LaRouche PAC) and LRrouche Youth Movement
• Primary U.S. Activist Network: Launched in the early 2000s to coordinate electoral campaigns, lobbying, and public demonstrations. Disowned by Helga Zepp-LaRouche in 2021 after criminal or anti-social activities.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwide_LaRouche_Youth_Movement
• Key Activities: LaRouche PAC activists are often seen engaging the public with pamphlets, petitions, and campaigns supporting LaRouche’s policy proposals (e.g., opposition to financial deregulation, advocacy for large-scale infrastructure projects).
Since Lyndon LaRouche’s death in 2019, Helga Zepp-LaRouche has carried on his legacy as the leader of the Schiller Institute.
The Schiller Institute despite being dedicated to promoting cultural dialogue, economic reform, and world peace has consistently advanced conspiracy theories and pro-Kremlin, pro-Beijing narratives.
Under her leadership, the movement has intensified this messaging, positioning itself as a champion of the Duginist “multipolar world order” which aims to challenge Western dominance. This stance has led the group to align with state-sponsored disinformation campaigns from Russia and China, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
After the invasion began, Zepp-LaRouche was interviewed by Mira Terada from the Prigozhin-run sham organization called the Foundation to Battle Injustice (FBI!). In this extremely biased propaganda show, they discussed the “end of the Anglo-American hegemony.”
The LaRouche movement’s organizational structure is extremely complex, consisting of numerous think tanks, shell organizations, and affiliate groups around the world. This allows the movement to attract both far-left and far-right supporters who share its hatred of democratic western institutions. The Schiller Institute, for example, has collaborated with an array of fringe people, including British politician George Galloway, libertarian activists like Angela McArdle of the Mises Caucus, and personalities such as Caleb Maupin and Kim Dotcom.
The Road to the Money
The Schiller Institute has become one of the main proponents of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Indeed their publication attempts to provide evidence to claim it was in fact an invention of Lyndon and Helga themselves.
“[The report shows] that the Schiller Institute conferences and {EIR} articles between 1991 and 1996 (noting that Larouche was then in prison), when Helga Zepp-LaRouche presented her speech at the May 7-9, 1996 “Symposium on Economic Development along the New Euro-Asia Continental Bridge” in Beijing on May 8, 1996, titled “Building the Silk Road Land-Bridge: The Basis for Mutual Security Interests of Asia and Europe.”
Then, he writes: “In January 1997, Lyndon LaRouche addressed a Washington conference, urging the Clinton Administration to sponsor a New Bretton Woods system, reorganizing the world economy to prevent disruptive boom-bust cycles, and recognize the global merit of the Eurasian Land-Bridge program. Reinforcing and explaining her husband’s persistent thematic refrain, Helga LaRouche published a commentary titled, `Eurasian Land-Bridge: A New Era for Mankind,’ which was widely circulated across the Atlantic by the Schiller Foundation [sic].” He adds that Helga LaRouche addressed a second conference in Beijing in November 1997. “By then,” he continues, “railway connectivity between coastal China, Central Asia and Russia was a reality; Europe beckoned.”
He next reports on a conference in India organized by Schiller representative Ramtanu Maitra, with leading figures from Russia, China and India, where they “established a Triangular Association with the goal of promoting Indo-Russian-Chinese cooperation in forging a shared vision of Eurasia’s post-Cold War future of peace, progress and prosperity.”
The Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies (RDCY) is a Chinese financial research think tank. It produces reports, videos, commentaries, and hosts events to facilitate research of China’s economy and recommend insights to Chinese government officials.
The institute was created in 2013 by the Renmin University of China and Shanghai-based private equity firm Chongyang Investment Group, Ltd. In addition to finance, the Institute researches and conducts projects on global governance, security studies, and environmentalism. It has established senior fellowships with a number of Chinese intellectuals as well as non-resident fellowships with foreign individuals.
Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies was created with a donation of of 200,000,000 Renminbi (about $29,577,480) from Qiu Guogen the chairman of Shanghai Chongyang Investment Group.
The current dean of the institute Wang Wen writes regularly for the Global Times, a Chinese government affiliated publication. Wang Wen visited Russian-annexed Crimea in 2022 and regularly publishes pro-Russian articles.
The foreign “non-resident” fellows, include Helga Zepp-LaRouche, Vijay Prashad and John Ross. Prashad is a Marxist journalist and a frequent guest at talks hosted by the New York-based socialist group The People’s Forum which receives funding from Roy Singham. Featured in a New York Times and reported to fund a large number of pro-China government groups.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/05/world/europe/neville-roy-singham-china-propaganda.html
Appearing on Youtube with Evans, he describes allegations of genocide of the Uyghurs as “farcical” and a “total lie.”
https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/the-big-business-of-uyghur-genocide-denial/
He has also written:
“If the real meaning of the term ‘human rights’ is used, it is evident that China has the best human rights record in the world — and those words are carefully chosen. … What is particularly striking is the factual contrast between what China has achieved and the laughable claim of the U.S. to a superior human rights record”
In the New States left-wing journalist Paul Mason accused Ross and his paper Socialist Action as “committed to whitewashing China’s authoritarian form of capitalism”:
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2020/08/why-the-left-must-condemn-chinas-brutal-authoritarianism
Other non-resident fellows include Danilo Turk, former president of Slovenia; Essam Sharaf, former prime minister of Egypt; Paulo Portas, former Portuguese minister of foreign affairs; Martin Jacques, senior fellow at the Department of Politics and International Studies of Cambridge University; John Kirton, University of Toronto professor and director of G8 & G20 Research Group; Jean-Guy Carrier, director of ICC Research Foundation; World Bank and WHO veteran Peter Koenig; Iranian professor Ali Akbar Velayati; Boris Guseletov, international advisor to the chairman of A Just Russia Party; and Johns Hopkins University professor Roger Leeds.
The presence of John Ross and Vijay Prashad alongside Helga Zepp-LaRouche, places her and her organisations firmly in the sphere of control of the Chinese Government and the Singham funding network.
The Theft of Anti War campaigns by Russia, Iran, China and LaRouche
One of the most concerning aspects of the movement is its ability to infiltrate legitimate political and cultural spaces under the guise of advocacy for peace, economic reform, or anti-imperialism. Its network supports various fringe organizations, including the CPI, and influences figures such as Kim Dotcom and U.S. political candidates like Jill Stein and Tulsi Gabbard, who spoke at the LaRouche sponsored pro-Russian “anti-war” rally in Washington DC in 2023. The full list is shown here from the website of the rally, but obviously the most concerning attendee is the proposed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Rage Against the War – Washington DC 2023
Moderated by Angela McArdle of the Libertarian Party and Nick Brana of the “People’s Party.”
• Jimmy Dore – Supporter of Larouche election campaigns and comedian.
• Ron Paul, Former Congressman of Texas.
• Tulsi Gabbard, Former Congresswoman of Hawaii, U.S. Army Reserve officer, and Donald Trump’s selection for Director of National Intelligence
• Dennis Kucinich, Former Congressman of Ohio and Mayor of Cleveland.
• Cynthia McKinney, Former Congresswoman of Georgia and former Green Party candidate for President.
• Scott Horton, Editorial Director of the Russian aligned Antiwar.com
• Ann Wright, ex diplomat, pro-Iranian activist involved with various activities in Gaza.
• Gerald Celente, Director and Founder of The Trends Research Institute.
• Chris Hedges, Best-selling author, journalist, and commentator.
• Roger Waters, Known anti-west activist and pro-Russian speaker at the UN.
• David Swanson, Blogger, author, and Executive Director of World BEYOND War another anti-imperialist website.
• Daniel McAdams, Executive Director of the Ron Paul Institute and Co-Host of the Ron Paul Liberty Report
• Garland Nixon, Radio talk show host and far-left political analyst in Washington DC.
• Max Blumenthal, Editor-in-chief of The Grayzone, a Russian aligned outlet
• Anya Parampil, Journalist with The Grayzone and partner of Blumenthal
• Jill Stein, Green Party candidate for President.
• Tara Reade, Former Senate aide, producer of The Kim Iversen Show. Recently defected to Moscow
• Diane Sare, Larouche candidate for U.S. Senate (NY).
• Dan McKnight, Founder and Chairman of Bring Our Troops Home
• Tatiana Moroz, Far-right, anti-vaccine cryptocurrency enthusiast
• Jordan Page, Singer and author of the Oath Keepers anthem
• Kim Iversen, “Independent” journalist and host of The Kim Iversen Show.
• Jackson Hinkle, Colleague of Caleb Maupin, social media personality, pro-Russian speaker at the UN
• Craig Jardula, Russia Today Presenter
• Wyatt Reed, Grayzone and PressTV writer.
• Dan Cohen, Grayzone writer.
Medea Benjamin (Codepink) attended but did not speak. Scott Ritter was also invited, but the invitation was withdrawn at the last minute.
Local journalist Molly Conger photographed Matthew Heimbach, prominent neo-Nazi organizer who helped organize the 2017 rally in Charlottesville. In a podcast prior to the Unite the Right rally, Heimbach called for the extermination of the “international Jew and the local Jew, I don’t care if he runs a f**king bagel shop, he’s got to go.”
Despite often being dismissed as a fringe cult, the LaRouche movement wields significant influence through its ties to state actors like Russia and China. Its ability to bridge ideological extremes and align them with the interests of foreign powers has made it a potent player in the realm of hybrid warfare and disinformation campaigns.
NO2NATO.org
A more UK/Europe aligned campaign, but borrowing some personalities and LaRouche organizers from the United States. This has featured multiple events and broadcasts with many different personalities. Richard Medhurst, a pro-Assad, pro-Iran, pro-Russian blogger recently detained by the police of the United Kingdom, Anastasia Battle, a LaRouche staff organizer, George Galloway and Andrew Hudd from the Workers Party GB. Galloway is a regular presenter on RT, Sputnik and Press TV and Andy Hudd is also a representative of the ASLEF British Trade union.
An event to coincide with the Rage Against War event in the USA was scheduled for Feb 23rd 2023 in London. It came under considerable pressure as multiple venues cancelled bookings as a result of a campaign by the online pro-Ukraine fundraisers NAFO (North Atlantic Fellas Organization), eventually the event was hurriedly held in the Venezuelan Embassy.
Many of the speakers are pro-Iran, China and Russia. Indeed Helga Zepp-LaRouche appeared at the August 2023 event. Daniel Kovalik from the USA was a sham election observer for Russia and has spoken for them at the UN. David Miller and Chris Williamson regularly appear on Iranian PressTV. Max Blumenthal and Anya Parampil again appear at a pro-Larouche event. Other speakers included Nick Brana from the LaRouche RATWM organization.
It’s clear that these fake anti-war LaRouche sponsored events include many westerners who appear as presenters or guests on Iranian and Russian media, many have spoken on behalf of those governments at the United Nations.
Why the LaRouche Movement Matters in This Case
Connecting Morman to the LaRouche network shows how easily these groups can slip into high-stakes areas like aerospace. By finding sympathizers within these important industries, they gain a foothold that could lead to sensitive information. Understanding their methods and influence is not just an intellectual exercise—it’s a matter of national security.
The LaRouche network’s knack for linking together seemingly unrelated ideologies—from socialism to libertarianism—shows just how fast the world of information warfare is changing. By taking advantage of existing divisions and teaming up with state actors like Russia, Iran and China, the network fuels disinformation and influence campaigns.
This situation highlights the need for stronger intelligence efforts to spot and counter these threats before they spread. It also raises tough ethical questions about personal responsibility in handling sensitive information, and what those choices mean for everyone involved.
Implications for National Security
Morman’s case highlights the vulnerabilities posed by insider threats. His access to sensitive technologies at Blue Origin underscores the importance of thorough vetting processes, especially in industries with national security implications. The potential for information leakage to foreign adversaries like Russia and China cannot be ignored, given the LaRouche movement’s documented connections to these states.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for other high-tech industries to remain vigilant against potential insider threats.
Additionally, the proximity of this network to both Robert Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard presents a clear danger to both American and NATO allied governments.
Convergence on “Anti-Establishment” Issues
Populist Rhetoric
Both Gabbard and RFK Jr. have in recent years taken strong anti-establishment or anti-elite stances, criticizing Washington’s foreign policy, intelligence agencies, or large corporate interests.
Larouche Movement Overlaps
Lyndon LaRouche’s organizations historically have also railed against “globalist” elites, intelligence agencies, and financial institutions. They have both either met other LaRouche aligned commentators such as Scott Ritter or appeared at LaRouche sponsored events. The LaRouche movement attempts to “capture” personalities and politicians by promoting their anti-establishment or conspiratorial views. Perhaps these individuals are unaware of who or what they are promoting but are pulled into the LaRouche pro-Russian, pro-Chinese orbit.
https://x.com/execintelreview/status/1821399279149158808
Vigilance in a Connected World
Joseph Morman’s story reminds us that even the smallest details—a single donation, a social media profile, or a loose organizational connection—can uncover links to much bigger and more dangerous networks. As our industries become more intertwined with national security, it’s clear that staying vigilant and shoring up security measures is not just important—it’s essential.
Ultimately, Morman’s case serves as both a warning and a wake-up call. It’s up to organizations, governments, and individuals to keep their eyes open and stay prepared, especially as information warfare continues to evolve in a world where everything is connected.
No responses yet