Rep. Josh Riley quietly invested in DC distillery that sells Fascist Tears Vodka and likes ICE Crushed
Freshman Democrat holds a stake in Republic Restoratives LLC, tied to co founder Pia Carusone; the DC distillery markets left-wing branded spirits and donates proceeds to progressive causes.
WASHINGTON — Freshman Democratic Rep. Josh Riley disclosed that he holds between 1,001 and 15,000 dollars in Republic Restoratives LLC, a Washington, DC distillery co founded by Pia Carusone. Riley's financial disclosures show the stake in the venture, which markets brand names such as Fascist Tears Vodka and Dissent Gin. The disclosures do not specify when the investment occurred, but they connect Riley to Carusone, a veteran Democratic operative who helped craft advertising for his campaigns. The disclosure also ties the congressman to a distillery that has built a reputation on left leaning branding and political fundraising through its liquor sales.
Republic Restoratives is located about three miles from the White House and has marketed itself as a women owned, queer led operation. Its products carry provocative branding, including Fascist Tears Vodka, Dissent Gin and Assembly Gin. The distillery has advertised that proceeds from its sales go to progressive causes. For example, Dissent Gin lists a donation path to the National Network of Abortion Funds, which supports abortion access for low income women. Civic Pride vodka has been described as supporting Advocates for Trans Equality. Fascist Tears Vodka has been associated with proceeds going to Vote.org. The company has also offered Fascist Tears T shirts and mugs, and one advertisement for the spirit explicitly notes a preference for ICE being crushed. The Beltway crowd has taken note of the brand, which has cultivated a niche following among liberal operatives and progressive donors. The distillery is a frequent talking point in political fundraising circles. The Post reached out to Riley’s team and Carusone for comment.
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Republic Restoratives, according to its promoters, began as a crowdfunded venture and has described itself as the largest crowdfunded distillery in the United States. Carusone, who served as chief of staff to then Representative Gabby Giffords during the latter’s 2011 shooting and recovery, co founded the distillery in 2016 along with her longtime friend Rachel Gardner. The business has framed its mission around political expression through spirits, with branding that explicitly targets political divides and a message that fundraising proceeds support causes aligned with left leaning advocacy.
The distillery’s portfolio has included a range of products beyond Fascist Tears and Dissent Gin. Madam whiskey and Rodham Rye nod to prominent female political figures, tapping into a historical themed lineup that mirrors contemporary debates over policy and identity. In a notable moment, the brand announced a playful April Fool’s Day post about Gulf of Mexico Tequila, referencing the Gulf of America branding in a lighthearted jab at former president Trump. The company has described its approach as combining commerce with civic action, using proceeds to bolster progressive campaigns and organizations that align with its stated mission.
Riley’s district includes Binghamton, Catskill, Hudson, Ithaca and Monticello, a region that blends rural towns with campuses and mid sized cities. The congressman won his seat by a narrow margin last November, barely eking out a victory over former Rep. Marc Molinaro by about two percentage points. The vote total and district makeup underscore why disclosures about investments tied to political staff and operations have drawn scrutiny in Congress.
Beyond partisan branding, the notes describe a broader political climate marked by violence and tension around immigration enforcement and public figures. The notes recount a spate of violence targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement and conservative figures, including an account of a royal level of violence in the weeks leading up to the report. In Dallas, a sniper opened fire on an ICE facility, killing one detainee and wounding two others before taking his own life. The suspect, identified as 29 year old Joshua Jahn, reportedly had anti ICE sentiments scrawled on his ammunition. The notes also reference an edited media moment in which a conservative activist was described as assassinated on September 10, a claim that the notes attribute to the same violent climate described elsewhere in the document.
The Post reached out to Riley’s team and Carusone for comment, but did not receive an immediate response. The disclosure raises questions about how lawmakers’ financial ties to politically charged, identity driven brands intersect with representation in Congress. While investment does not imply influence or improper conduct, observers note that the proximity between a member of Congress and a political operative involved in campaign advertising could warrant additional scrutiny from ethics watchdogs and constituents alike.
In addition to the branding and fundraising aspects, Republic Restoratives has positioned itself as a cultural space for political speech through spirits and apparel. The distillery’s approach has attracted attention in DC, with some observers describing the products as a reflection of the city’s politically engaged culture. The operation emphasizes that a portion of its proceeds flows to progressive causes, arguing that commerce can be a vehicle for civic engagement. The company’s claim of crowdfunding success and its backing from notable Democratic operatives reflect a broader trend in which political donors seek out ventures that align with their policy and cultural priorities.
As lawmakers navigate questions about disclosures and potential conflicts of interest, Riley’s office has said it will continue to review and update financial holdings as required by law. The district’s political dynamics, combined with a high profile left leaning brand in the nation’s capital, ensure that this story will continue to attract public interest and scrutiny. The intersection of campaign politics, personal investment and industry branding remains a sensitive area that lawmakers, ethics committees and watchdog groups will monitor closely.
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The post notes that the distillery was launched in 2016 by Carusone and Gardner and has since built a following among liberal professionals in Washington. It also emphasizes that the distillery funds a variety of causes through its product lines, tying consumer purchases to advocacy work. The company’s marketing, paying homage to figures such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg in its gin flavors and referencing political figures in bottle labels, underscores a branding strategy that blends satire with advocacy. Whether Riley’s investment will become a flashpoint in discussions about ethics and congressional finance remains to be seen, but the episode illustrates the evolving nexus between politics, business, and culture in the capital.