Established in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has long positioned itself as a champion for African American and other marginalized leftist communities, leveraging its influence to advocate for equity and justice. However, recent developments have cast a deepening shadow over the organization, with allegations of improprieties, fraud, self-dealing, and what some might describe as “shakedowns” of corporate entities.

The Target Boycott Controversy: It’s About Money and Power

In late June 2025, the CBC made headlines after threatening a boycott against Target, one of America’s largest retail chains, following the company’s decision to end specific DEI programs, including financial support for the CBC’s nonprofit arm, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. According to reports, Target had donated at least $1.4 million to the foundation in 2020 amid heightened corporate focus on social justice following George Floyd’s death. However, as part of a broader rollback of DEI initiatives, Target ceased this funding, prompting a strong reaction from the CBC.

CBC Chairwoman Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.) and members of the Caucus’s DEI Task Force met with Target CEO Brian Cornell to address what they called the company’s “unconscionable” decision. The Caucus warned that Target’s failure to reinstate DEI efforts could lead to lasting damage to its brand and credibility, with a thinly veiled implied threat of a boycott. The CBC’s statement emphasized the financial toll already felt by Target, suggesting that their push for a boycott was gaining traction and eroding the retailer’s sales and foot traffic.

Critics, including Peter Flaherty of the National Legal and Policy Center, a conservative watchdog group, labeled the CBC’s actions as having “all the earmarks of a shakedown.” Flaherty argued that the threat of a boycott was less about advancing diversity and more about pressuring Target to resume financial contributions to the CBC’s nonprofit arm, which has historically benefited from corporate sponsorships. This perspective was echoed across conservative outlets, with some commentators on X describing the CBC’s tactics as “race grifting” and an attempt to strong-arm corporations into compliance. <Source>

Broader Allegations of Self-Dealing and Fraud

The Target controversy is not an isolated incident but part of a broader narrative of alleged improprieties surrounding the CBC. Critics have long scrutinized the CBC Foundation’s financial practices, pointing to its reliance on corporate donations and the potential for conflicts of interest. The foundation, which supports scholarships, internships, and policy research, has been a significant beneficiary of corporate largesse, particularly during the post-2020 surge in DEI funding. However, questions have arisen about how these funds are allocated and whether they primarily serve the CBC’s political and financial interests rather than the broader African American community.

For instance, there have been accusations that the CBC uses its influence to secure donations from corporations seeking to avoid public criticism or gain favor with influential lawmakers. These arrangements can blur the line between advocacy and self-dealing, as corporate contributions may come with expectations of political support or leniency in oversight. While no concrete evidence of fraud has been substantiated in recent reports, the perception of impropriety persists, fueled by the CBC’s aggressive response to companies like Target that withdraw support.

Additionally, historical allegations of financial misconduct among individual CBC members have resurfaced in public discourse. Though not directly tied to the current Target controversy, past scandals involving CBC members—such as misuse of campaign funds or questionable nonprofit activities—have contributed to a narrative of systemic issues within the Caucus. These incidents, while dated, continue to shape public skepticism about the CBC’s operations.

Political Context and Oversight Challenges

The CBC’s actions must also be viewed in the context of its broader political activities in 2025. The Caucus has been vocal in opposing what it calls President Trump’s “big, ugly bill,” a tax and spending package passed by the Senate in July 2025. During a press conference, CBC members criticized the bill, highlighting their role as a counterweight to Republican policies. However, this assertive stance has coincided with increased scrutiny of the Caucus’s methods, particularly when it comes to leveraging its influence for financial or political gain.

Furthermore, the CBC has faced internal and external challenges that complicate its advocacy. For example, Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) recently pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to interfering with law enforcement during an ICE facility visit, a case that CBC Chair Yvette Clarke framed as an attack on congressional oversight powers. This incident underscores the Caucus’s hostile relationship with the current administration and its efforts to maintain influence amid legal and political headwinds.

A Question of Motives

The CBC’s defenders argue that its push for corporate accountability, as seen in the Target case, is a legitimate response to the erosion of DEI commitments that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. From this perspective, the CBC’s pressure on Target is a necessary tactic to hold corporations accountable for their public commitments.

However, critics counter that the CBC’s actions cross over into coercive territory, particularly when boycott threats appear tied to the restoration of funding for its own nonprofit arm. The lack of transparency around how these funds are used only fuels suspicions of self-dealing. Moreover, the CBC’s high-profile confrontations with corporations may distract from its legislative priorities, undermining the credibility of the House of Representatives.

Bottom Line

DEI, rooted in progressive Marxist ideologies focusing on wealth or power redistribution rather than individual achievement, is little more than forced equality of outcomes, undermining meritocracy and creating new power dynamics where certain groups gain preferential treatment, often tied to narratives of historical guilt or reparative justice.

The Congressional Black Caucus continues to wield significant influence as a pseudo-voice for activist African-Americans, as recent allegations of shakedowns and improprieties continue to destroy its reputation. The Target boycott controversy, in particular, highlights the grift that lies between advocacy and self-interest.

The CBC is about who pays reparations for historical wrongs, and who gets the power and benefits of who divvies up the tribute money.

We are so screwed when these un-American grifters bollix up the system for personal, professional, political, and profitable self-gain. The organization is undeniably racist to its core.

-- Steve

How many prominent congressional rabble-rousers can you spot in the CBC?