Federal agencies are investing significant amounts—tens of millions—in California’s Native American tribal governments, particularly those that oppose President Trump. A recent report highlights that these tribes frequently delay paying taxes. According to an analysis by the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), the Kumeyaay Nation and its Sycuan Band accrued over $2.5 million in state and federal tax liens from 1986 to 2024. This report was obtained exclusively by the Daily Call News Foundation, and it notes that Trump is advocating for a stop on funding to tribes aligning against his border policies, some of which have ties to prominent Democrats, including former vice president Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Tom Jones, the AAF president, expressed concern: “Tribal leaders seem to have ample resources for lavish homes and entertainment while neglecting their tax responsibilities. This reckless spending needs immediate attention.” The Sycuan Tribe’s president, Cody Martinez, did not respond to several requests for comments regarding this information.
Moreover, Michael Michaels, an executive within the Sycuan Tribal Development Corporation, reportedly faced tax liens exceeding $1.3 million from 2006 to 2024. Attempts by the DCNF to reach him directly were unsuccessful, as his organization did not respond. Another tribal council member, Jamie Labrake, experienced a tax lien exceeding $870,000 spanning from 2002 to 2019, while Vice-President Joshua Muse dealt with a state-level lien that he later settled.
Interestingly, out of ten liens associated with Michaels, the AAF could not confirm releases, while several liens against Labrake remain unclear. The IRS declined to comment on individual cases, echoing sentiments from the California Franchise Tax Commission. Notably, another council member, William Tucker, had a lien surpassing $335,000 but settled this within four years, and the Sycuan Tribal government itself had recently dealt with over $50,000 in federal liens.
Since 2008, the Sycuan Tribe has received more than $100 million in federal aid, with a large portion attributed to Covid-19 relief funds from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The AAF also details that the Department of Health and Human Services has allocated around $4 million to support various health initiatives among tribes since 2020, alongside additional grants from the Federal Government for library services.
A notable development includes an award of approximately $289,058 for establishing a Sycuan Tribal Agency focused on utility and energy management. The tribe maintains valuable property assets, including a large home with a pool, luxury hotels, a casino, and a golf course. Reports mention that the casino hosted a “Drug Brunch Buffet” event last June, which coincided with Pride celebrations in San Diego, where they contributed $25,000 to the local pride parade.
Interestingly, the Sycuan Band was involved in protests against Trump’s border wall construction back in 2020, having filed lawsuits claiming that such actions would threaten burial sites. The AAF found that both Democratic and Republican candidates received support from the Sycuan Band, with notable donations towards Kamala Harris’s campaign against Trump in 2024. Since 1999, they have reportedly invested over $5.4 million on political lobbying in California and more than $4.9 million at the federal level since 2003.
