Trump Orders DOJ Probe of ActBlue While His Campaign Faces Similar Issues
AP investigation finds questionable donations to both parties' fundraising platforms
President Donald Trump recently directed the Justice Department to investigate online political fundraising, specifically targeting ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform. Trump cited concerns about foreigners and fraudsters potentially funneling illegal contributions to U.S. politicians through elaborate schemes. The directive focused exclusively on ActBlue, which acknowledged receiving over 200 potentially illicit contributions from foreign internet addresses last year.
An Associated Press investigation revealed that Trump's own political committees have received approximately 1,600 questionable contributions over the past five years. These donations came from individuals living abroad, those with close ties to foreign interests, or donors who failed to provide complete identifying information. Among these were a $5,000 contribution linked to a derelict building, $5,000 from a Chinese businessman who listed a La Quinta Inn as his address, and $1 million from the wife of an African oil and mining magnate.
KEY POINTS
- •Trump orders DOJ probe of ActBlue
- •AP finds 1,600 questionable Trump donations
- •Foreign political donations illegal in US
Federal law prohibits U.S. candidates and political committees from accepting contributions from foreign nationals and places strict limits on donation amounts. Democrats argue that Trump's focus on ActBlue represents a political attack aimed at hampering his opponents' fundraising capabilities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The investigation could potentially threaten a key Democratic fundraising tool when Republicans hold a narrow House majority.
Republicans maintain there are legitimate reasons to investigate ActBlue, pointing to the platform's easing of some fraud detection protocols before the 2024 presidential election. ActBlue representatives declined to comment on whether they have been contacted by the Justice Department but are expected to contest any investigation. Meanwhile, some Democrats have expressed concerns that ActBlue could cease operations, potentially costing the party more than $10 million in the short term.
The controversy highlights ongoing challenges in campaign finance regulation. Trump's administration has shown a pattern of leniency toward campaign finance violations, including pardoning several individuals convicted of related crimes during his first term. Additionally, Trump recently fired a commissioner at the Federal Election Commission, which, following another commissioner's resignation, has left the agency without the quorum necessary to enforce campaign finance laws.