A government relations firm staffed with allies of President Donald Trump has officially registered to represent a nonprofit that was previously set to receive billions in taxpayer dollars from a Biden-era climate program now under federal scrutiny.
The Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) had been selected for $5 billion in funding through the now-repealed Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), a program created under the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). However, before those funds could be distributed, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) froze the money, and Congress ultimately eliminated funding for the program, according to the agency.
The GGRF, which directed billions of taxpayer dollars to environmental groups, has come under investigation by the EPA’s inspector general amid concerns over potential waste, fraud, and abuse. Agency materials and reports indicate that the FBI and the Department of Justice have also examined the program.
Now, as scrutiny over the program continues, Checkmate Government Relations — a firm employing several individuals linked to President Trump and his administration — has stepped in to represent CGC.
Public records show that Checkmate Government Relations registered to lobby on behalf of CGC on January 15, 2026. The firm filed its required disclosure with Congress on February 11.
Among the lobbyists listed on the disclosure form are Charles McDowell, Christopher LaCivita Jr., and James Johnson. All three are described in public records as having ties to President Trump or his administration.
The move raises new questions about the future of the nonprofit and the broader Biden-era climate initiative that once promised billions in federal funding. The GGRF was established as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, a sweeping legislative package passed during the Biden administration. The fund aimed to channel significant federal resources into green initiatives.
However, the program has faced mounting scrutiny. The EPA froze the funds allocated to CGC before any distribution took place. Congress subsequently repealed funding for the program altogether, effectively halting its implementation.
The inspector general’s investigation into the GGRF centers on concerns related to waste, fraud, and abuse. The involvement of the FBI and DOJ, as indicated in agency materials and reports, underscores the seriousness of the review.
While it remains unclear what the outcome of the investigations will be, the registration of Checkmate Government Relations signals that CGC is seeking representation as the matter unfolds.
The firm’s connection to Trump allies adds another layer of political intrigue to a program already tied to partisan debate. The GGRF awarded billions to green groups reportedly connected to Democratic insiders, drawing criticism from those concerned about how taxpayer dollars were allocated.
With the program repealed and under federal investigation, attention is now turning to how nonprofits like CGC navigate the aftermath — and whether the investigations will bring further revelations about how billions in public funds were handled.
As federal authorities continue to examine the Biden-era initiative, the involvement of a Trump-linked lobbying firm ensures the issue will remain in the political spotlight.
