President Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate ActBlue for alleged fraudulent fundraising practices, setting up a major confrontation with Democrats over campaign finance integrity.
Top Takeaways
- Trump signed a memorandum directing the Department of Justice to investigate ActBlue for alleged “straw donor” schemes and foreign contributions
- A House Judiciary Committee report claims ActBlue detected 22 significant fraud campaigns, with nearly half having foreign connections
- ActBlue has denounced the investigation as “blatantly unlawful” and a “brazen attack on democracy”
- Evidence suggests ActBlue previously accepted contributions without requiring card verification, potentially enabling anonymous donations
- Several state attorneys general have already launched investigations into ActBlue’s donation practices
Trump Orders Investigation into Democratic Fundraising Powerhouse
President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum directing Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to investigate ActBlue, the primary fundraising platform for Democratic candidates and causes. The investigation focuses on allegations of illegal “straw” or “dummy” contributions and potential foreign donations flowing through the platform. This action stems from concerns outlined in an April 2 report from the House Judiciary Committee that questioned ActBlue’s financial practices and fraud prevention measures.
The memorandum specifically targets concerns that ActBlue may allow donors to evade federal contribution limits by breaking larger donations into smaller amounts attributed to multiple individuals. It also raises questions about the platform’s vulnerability to foreign interference in American elections. A White House fact sheet claims congressional investigators uncovered evidence that online platforms are being used to launder excessive and prohibited contributions through deceptive practices.
Our ActBlue investigation found retirees unknowingly listed as donating tens of thousands, marked “small” on ActBlue, but reported much higher to the FEC. Now, even the White House is paying attention.
When investigative journalism exposes truth, action follows. https://t.co/ahMRkgiLXj pic.twitter.com/gp216lojai
— O’Keefe Media Group (@OKeefeMedia) April 24, 2025
Evidence of Fraud and Foreign Connections
According to the White House, a House investigation revealed that ActBlue has detected 22 significant fraud campaigns, with nearly half having connections to foreign entities. One particularly concerning finding showed that ActBlue received 237 donations from foreign IP addresses using prepaid cards over just a 30-day period. Internal documents reportedly show ActBlue executives were aware of fraudulent activity but did not adequately address it, with critics pointing to lenient fraud-prevention rules as a major vulnerability.
Critics note that ActBlue previously accepted contributions without requiring card verification numbers, potentially facilitating anonymous donations. Multiple state attorneys general have already launched their own investigations into ActBlue over suspicious donation patterns. President Trump has framed the investigation as part of a broader effort to restore election integrity, having already signed an Executive Order aimed at protecting American elections.
ActBlue Pushes Back Against Investigation
ActBlue has strongly condemned the investigation, with a spokesperson calling it a “blatantly unlawful” action and “Donald Trump’s latest front in his campaign to stamp out all political, electoral and ideological opposition.” The organization has vowed to challenge the memorandum in court and has been preparing for potential actions from the Trump administration. ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones had previously warned Democrats about rumors of an executive order targeting the platform.
Democratic groups, including the Democratic National Committee, have rushed to ActBlue’s defense, characterizing Trump’s actions as an attempt to undermine democratic participation and grassroots fundraising. These groups claim the investigation is politically motivated, designed to block small-dollar donations while empowering wealthy donors. ActBlue maintains it complies with all federal and state laws and remains committed to providing a secure fundraising platform for Democratic candidates and causes.
Election Integrity at Stake
President Trump has framed the investigation as crucial to maintaining election integrity and fairness in the democratic process. The White House emphasized that the President is taking action to address “malign actors and foreign nationals who seek to illegally influence American elections.” Trump has criticized the previous administration for allegedly prioritizing political agendas over ensuring fair elections and has pledged to secure American elections “once and for all.”
The Justice Department has not yet commented on the memorandum or provided details about how the investigation might proceed. ActBlue, meanwhile, has emphasized the scale of its operations, with CEO Wallace-Jones noting that over $400 million was donated through the platform from January to March alone. The platform has stated it is “ready for whatever is next from the far right” while continuing to advocate for its role in enabling democratic participation.
