House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is leading an investigation into ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform, after the Treasury Department flagged more than 400 suspicious activity reports (SARs) tied to the platform. The reports have raised serious concerns about the origin of donations and potential violations of federal law.
Comer has emphasized the significance of the SARs, which are issued when banks detect transactions that may involve criminal activity. He noted that ActBlue recently implemented security measures like banning foreign gift cards, but only after years of transactions that could have exploited those vulnerabilities.
“This is a major issue,” Comer said, suggesting that small-dollar contributions funneled through ActBlue may have concealed illegal funds. He pointed to adversaries like China and Russia as potential sources of foreign money influencing elections through the platform.
House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) is collaborating with Comer on the investigation. Steil revealed that foreign-bought gift cards were accepted by ActBlue until September 2024, leaving earlier transactions under scrutiny. His team has also expanded its probe to include 19 states, seeking answers about illicit funding.
ActBlue has denied wrongdoing, asserting that it complies with federal and state laws. A statement from the platform described the allegations as “disinformation” and defended its fraud prevention measures. ActBlue claims to have raised over $2 billion for Democratic campaigns since its inception in 2004.
Comer’s investigation also targets federal officials accused of obstructing efforts to uncover financial misconduct involving the Biden family. He vowed to hold accountable those who interfered with investigations, promising transparency and justice for the American people.
