WASHINGTON – In a recent move reflecting President Donald Trump’s tendency to utilize governmental instruments against political rivals, he has ordered an inquiry into ActBlue, the Democratic Party’s prominent fundraising mechanism. The directive, signed through an executive order on Thursday, tasks Attorney General Pam Bondi with examining Republican claims that ActBlue may be facilitating illegal campaign contributions.
Democratic leaders had foreseen such actions and quickly denounced the directive on Thursday. ActBlue labeled the order as a blatant misuse of presidential power, describing it as part of Trump’s broader strategy to stifle democratic processes. In a public statement, ActBlue argued that the administration’s campaign against them was an affront to American democracy. They further announced their intention to explore all possible legal strategies to counteract this perceived injustice, emphasizing their commitment to providing a reliable platform for grassroots financial support.
The investigation mandated by Trump requires Bondi, alongside the Treasury Department, to delve into concerns around the potential misuse of online fundraising platforms for ‘straw’ or ‘dummy’ donations, as well as contributions from foreign sources. The order specifies a 180-day period for reporting the findings.
This isn’t the first occasion where Trump has purportedly wielded governmental authority as a weapon against oppositional forces, as observed in previous actions like revoking security clearances and targeting law firms linked to his critics.
ActBlue has been a cornerstone in Democratic fundraising, boosting campaigns with significant small-donor contributions for two decades. This model was so effective that Republicans eventually developed WinRed, their version of the platform which notably has not been subjected to the same scrutiny under Trump’s executive order.
Within Republican circles, the investigation was met with approval. Michael Whatley, the Chair of the Republican National Committee, voiced support, characterizing the situation as an overdue examination of a longstanding Democratic financial strategy.
In stark contrast, Democratic leaders such as Suzan DelBene, Ken Martin, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Laura Kelly, expressed strong opposition in a broadened statement. They criticized the executive order as a strategic maneuver by Trump to hobble democratic engagement, diverting focus from pressing economic issues to obstructing modest grassroots funding efforts for candidates in opposition to his policies.