GOP Rep Andy Biggs calls for FBI investigation into ActBlue allegations
Rep. Andy Biggs, a Republican from Arizona, has raised concerns about ActBlue, the main fundraising platform for the Democratic Party, and has called for an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Biggs sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, citing suspicious transactions reported by banks in 2024 and alleging that ActBlue may have been used to skirt federal campaign finance laws.
According to Biggs, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on House Administration have been looking into these allegations, but access to necessary documents has been stalled by the previous administration. Biggs highlighted concerns that ActBlue’s verification policies could potentially allow foreign actors from countries like China, Venezuela, and Russia to influence elections through straw donations.
The letter also mentioned that nineteen state attorneys general have made inquiries into ActBlue over allegations including fraud, money laundering, and suspicious patterns of contributions. Biggs emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI to address these allegations and protect the integrity of elections.
ActBlue, which is a popular platform for Democratic fundraising, has faced criticism from Republicans for lax donor verification standards. Last year, House Republicans subpoenaed ActBlue to address concerns about fraudulent donations and loopholes in campaign finance laws. ActBlue has denied these allegations, calling them a partisan attack and scare tactic.
In response to the recent letter to the Treasury Department, the House Oversight Committee expressed concerns about potential fraud and evasion of campaign finance laws by individuals exploiting online contribution platforms like ActBlue. The Committee highlighted ActBlue’s lack of standard procedures to guard against identity theft and fraud, as well as allegations of fraudulent contributions made without the contributors’ knowledge.
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa of California also called for an investigation into ActBlue’s alleged violation of federal law by allowing terror-linked groups to use its platform. Issa raised concerns about ActBlue’s collaboration with such entities and suggested that it could amount to enabling terrorism and money laundering crimes.
The controversy surrounding ActBlue has also caught the attention of prominent figures like Elon Musk, who blamed ActBlue-funded groups for recent protests at Tesla dealerships. Musk named five ActBlue funders, including liberal mega-donor George Soros, whom he believed were responsible for funding the protests.
In conclusion, the allegations against ActBlue raise serious concerns about the integrity of our elections and the potential for foreign influence. The call for an FBI investigation underscores the need to address these allegations and ensure transparency and accountability in the campaign finance system. It remains to be seen how these investigations will unfold and what impact they may have on ActBlue and its operations.
