logo
Dems go after GOP online fundraising after Trump attacks ActBlue

Dems go after GOP online fundraising after Trump attacks ActBlue

Yahoo14-05-2025

House Democrats are firing back at Republican attacks on their top fundraising platform, saying that in fact it's the GOP's own online fundraising sites that might be used as tools of corruption and foreign influence.
The top Democrats on the House Judiciary, Oversight and Administration Committees are asking the Treasury Department to fork over any evidence of suspicious transactions connected to a wide range of Republican and President Donald Trump-aligned fundraising platforms — including the Republican aligned small-dollar mega platform WinRed and the Elon Musk-affiliated America PAC.
Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) and Gerald Connolly (D-Va.)'s demand for 'suspicious activity reports' is a response to Trump's and the GOP's parallel effort to turn the screws on ActBlue, the Democratic online fundraising powerhouse that Republicans have recently targeted over allegations of illegal foreign donations.
Small-dollar fundraising has become a powerhouse for political campaigns, even if it's dropped off in recent years, and the tit-for-tat complaints over suspicious activity on WinRed and ActBlue are the latest salvos in a legal and political fight seeking to undermine opponents' engines of political participation.
The Democrats say their Republican counterparts' focus only on ActBlue obscures similar allegations of corruption or foreign influence in those Trump-aligned entities. Notably, they are also asking for any reports of suspicious transactions related to the Trump family's new cryptocurrency ventures, which have raised concerns about potential for abuse and influence-peddling.
'Despite Republicans' professed concern for the integrity of our elections and the protection of our democracy from foreign influence, their partisan report conspicuously makes no reference whatsoever,' to fraud that takes place through Republican fundraising platforms and scam PACs, they write in the letter.
Suspicious activity reports, or SARs are filings routinely lodged with Treasury by financial institutions to flag potential financial crimes or corruption. Though the policymakers warn that banks over-report potential incidents, they have become an increasingly common weapon in congressional inquiries. For example, Republicans used the reportsas evidence of alleged corruption by members of the Biden family and to track a network of shell companies the Bidens used to conduct overseas business.
In the letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the three lawmakers say they're seeking any suspicious activity reports related to WinRed; America PAC and Trump family cryptocurrency tokens, which they say are potentially rife with foreign influence-peddling.
The SARs, they say, will help inform potential legislation to safeguard American elections and strengthen anti-corruption laws.
The Treasury Department, WinRed and America PAC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The effort from Democrats comes as Trump last month directed the Justice Department to investigate ActBlue for allowing 'straw donors' and foreign influence.
At the time, Democrats accused Trump of 'trying to block lawful grassroots donations from supporters giving just $5 or $10 to candidates who oppose him while further empowering the corrupt billionaires who already control his administration.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Sell America' is in full force for elite investor Jeffrey Gundlach, who warns of a US debt 'reckoning'
'Sell America' is in full force for elite investor Jeffrey Gundlach, who warns of a US debt 'reckoning'

Business Insider

timean hour ago

  • Business Insider

'Sell America' is in full force for elite investor Jeffrey Gundlach, who warns of a US debt 'reckoning'

Investor Jeff Gundlach expressed caution over the US debt load in recent remarks. He said the "untenable" debt burden in America is heading for a "reckoning." The so-called "King of Bonds" said his firm is starting to introduce foreign currencies to its funds. Elite investor Jeffrey Gundlach is doubling down on the '" Sell America" trade. The DoubleLine Capital CEO, previously coined as the "King of Bonds," raised concerns about dollar-denominated assets when speaking at the Bloomberg Global Credit Forum on Wednesday. At the core of his comments is growing concern over America's swelling debt load, which is expected to get even bigger if President Donald Trump's " Big Beautiful Bill" eventually passes. "There's an awareness now that the long-term Treasury bond is not a legitimate flight-to-quality asset," Gundlach said, warning that a "reckoning is coming." He's referring to recent volatility in long-dated government bonds, like 30-year Treasurys, which haven't been trading like the sure-thing safe bet they're supposed to be. And Gundlach's firm has been putting its money where its mouth is. The DoubleLine CEO said his firm has been allocating more fund holdings to foreign currencies, and recommended that investors broadly start to think about boosting non-dollar-denominated holdings. Gundlach also sees the tide turning in the global stock market. "Things always take longer than people think, but it's happening in real-time, and the next one will be selective emerging market equities as opposed to the US," Gundlach said. 2 signs of stress Reuters Gundlach highlighted multiple unusual patterns that have been flashing in US markets this year. He sees these as signs that markets are likely concerned about the US debt, and that faith in US assets is starting to fade, he added. The US dollar and stocks. When the S&P 500 falls, the value of the dollar typically moves higher relative to other currencies, Gundlach said. But in April, when the S&P 500 tanked 20% amid the turmoil from Donald Trump's tariffs, the US dollar also weakened in value. The US Dollar Index, which weighs the greenback against a basket of foreign currencies, traded around 97.8 on Thursday, down 9% from levels at the start of the year. US Treasurys. When the Fed cuts interest rates, the 10-year US Treasury yield, which is tied to long-term interest rate expectations in the economy, typically falls. But the 10-year yield has climbed around 74 basis points from its low in September, around the time the Fed issued its first rate cut. "So I think what we have is recognition is that the interest expense for the United States is untenable if we continue running a $2.1 trillion budget deficit and we continue to have sticky interest rates," Gundlach said of the market shifts. Foreign investors have steadily added exposure to the US market over the last 17 years, Gundlach said, noting that the foreign net investment position in the US currently hovered around $25 trillion. "It's not inconceivable that some of the $25 trillion that came in just a couple — not even two decades — could go out," Gundlach said. "You should be thinking about increasing your allocations to non-dollar investments. And it's already working." Where to go if you're "selling America" Gundlach said there were several areas where investors could find safety away from US assets. Gold. Gundlach said he's continued to hold gold when it reached the level around $3,000 an ounce, and that he also holds stakes in gold miners. Previously, he's said that he believes gold could rally to as high as $4,000 an ounce as concerns swirl over tariffs, geopolitical conflict, and rising debt levels in the US. "I think gold is a real asset class. It's no longer for lunatic survivalists and wild speculators," he said. India. Gundlach also said investors should look into Indian assets, suggesting that India could see a similar run-up in economic growth that China has seen over the past three decades. India is riddled with many of the same economic issue China faced 35 years ago, Gundlach said, though be believed many of those issues can be fixed. "I don't know how long it will take, but that's one you buy," he said. Gundlach has consistently sounded the alarm on rising deficits in the US for years, and encouraged investors to pile into safe-havens. But forecasters on Wall Street have cast doubt on the "Sell America" trade, which is hinges on the idea that US will stop outperforming other assets in the world. JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley are among those who have said that they believe US assets will continue to dominate global markets.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Mocks Politicians for Being Surprised Voters Are ‘Using Our Middle Finger' With Protests
Arnold Schwarzenegger Mocks Politicians for Being Surprised Voters Are ‘Using Our Middle Finger' With Protests

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Arnold Schwarzenegger Mocks Politicians for Being Surprised Voters Are ‘Using Our Middle Finger' With Protests

As protests continue over ICE raids in Los Angeles and more, Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't think politicians should be surprised. According to the former California governor, pushback is the only logical outcome, given their actions. Schwarzenegger stopped by 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on Wednesday night in support of the new season of his show 'FUBAR' on Netflix, but before anything else, he and the ABC host got into politics. Looking back on Schwarzenegger's time as governor, Kimmel joked 'Remember when you were the governor and everything was pretty good? Everything was — everybody seemed pretty happy back then, huh?' Schwarzenegger retorted that even now, people are happy around him, just because of who he is. But, speaking seriously, he turned his attention to the protests in Los Angeles, saying they wouldn't even be happening if politicians just actually worked on solving issues. 'For decades, almost four decades, we have had a problem where they talked about immigration reform, comprehensive immigration reform,' Schwarzenegger said. 'But the Democrats and the Republicans, both of the parties, have no interest in solving this problem, because they use that to raise money.' 'And so what they do is they just keep pointing the finger at each other, and then they're surprised if all of a sudden we are using our middle finger on them, right?' he continued. The actor also lamented that the severity and reach of the protests is being exaggerated by both media and the Trump administration. 'They make it out to like it is a war zone, the whole Los Angeles, the whole city or the county,' Schwarzenegger said. 'And the fact of the matter is, maybe 0.001% of the area of Los Angeles has problems, and there's a protest.' 'And so I think that this is important for people to know, because I don't want all of a sudden, tourism to suffer in Los Angeles, because what they see on television,' Schwarzenegger continued, with Kimmel agreeing. 'Because the media sometimes shows it as if the whole Los Angeles is a big war zone, which isn't really the case.' You can watch Arnold Schwarzenegger's full appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' in the video above. The post Arnold Schwarzenegger Mocks Politicians for Being Surprised Voters Are 'Using Our Middle Finger' With Protests | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

Live updates: Pritzker testifies before Congress on Illinois sanctuary laws
Live updates: Pritzker testifies before Congress on Illinois sanctuary laws

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Live updates: Pritzker testifies before Congress on Illinois sanctuary laws

The Brief Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is testifying Thursday morning in front of a House committee about the state's sanctuary laws. Pritzker has said some GOP committee members want to question him "for a dog-and-pony show." The hearing could serve as another opportunity for Pritzker to position himself as a top contender in the Democratic Party. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gov. JB Pritzker is set to testify before a U.S. House committee on Thursday morning about the state's "sanctuary" laws aimed at limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Pritzker, along with fellow Democratic governors Tim Walz of Minnesota and Kathy Hochul of New York, appeared in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The entire hearing is being streamed live in the media player at the top of this story. 9:34 a.m. - Pritzker addresses the busloads of migrants that Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas sent to Chicago starting in August 2022. "Illinois chose a different path. Faced with a humanitarian crisis, our state made sure children and families did not go hungry or freeze to death," Pritzker said. 9:30 a.m. - Pritzker begins opening remarks: "I have seen firsthand how states have had to shoulder the consequences of a broken immigration system. I'm proud of how we've and compassionate immigration policies I believe are vital." Pritzker then recounted his family history, the arrival of his great-grandfather escaping pogroms and coming to Chicago. It feels like Pritzker might utilize this moment to introduce himself to a national audience who might not be familiar with him. 9:24 a.m. - Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), similar to his role in the Brandon Johnson hearing, hyped up Pritzker's investments and leadership in Illinois. 9:21 a.m. - During Lynch's opening remarks, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for Governor there, walks out and puts his finger to his head, mouthing the word "crazy." The political context of these hearings is inescapable: Chairman Comer is running as a Republican for Governor of Kentucky. Donald is running in Florida. Pritzker and Walz may be running for president. There will be fundraising pitches based upon the content today. 9:15 a.m. - Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) follows Chairman Comer, condemning the Trump administration's mass deportation policies. Lynch used his opening remarks to tie the hearing to the "militarization of American cities" under Trump and the administration's deportation of young U.S. citizens with undocumented parents. 9:07 a.m. - Hearing begins as House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer opens the meeting with opening statements on "dangerous sanctuary policies." "Let me clear, sanctuary policies don't protect Americans. They protect criminal illegals," Comer said. 8:56 a.m. - Pritzker has entered the building. 8:50 a.m. - Members of the Illinois House Freedom Caucus are in attendance for Pritzker's remarks. 8:40 a.m. 8:25 a.m. - Pritzker's office released his planned remarks hours ahead of the hearing. Among his talking points, Pritzker highlighted how Illinois mobilized quickly to offer shelter, food and services to over 50,000 migrants sent from the southern border without warning. Pritzker blamed both parties in Congress and the federal government for their failure to act. He also said that Illinois cooperates with federal authorities on criminal matters but won't misuse state resources for immigration enforcement that doesn't serve public safety. 8:12 a.m. - We are less than an hour away from the opening gavel. Pritzker, Walz and Hochul are expected to kick off the hearing with planned opening remarks. FOX 32's Paris Schutz laid out what he expects to hear from Pritzker's testimony. Hours ahead of the hearing, Pritzker released his planned opening remarks, which touched on how Illinois is handling the influx of immigrants and prioritizing public safety. Read his full remarks here. What we know The governor has said he believes some GOP members want to question him "for a dog-and-pony show" and who "simply want to grandstand in front of the cameras." He added, "I'm going there in a serious matter to give them my views about how we're managing through a problem that's been created for the state by the federal government." In a statement, Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Kentucky) said, "The governors of these states must explain why they are prioritizing the protection of criminal illegal aliens over the safety of U.S. citizens, and they must be held accountable." Back in March, the same committee hosted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with the mayors of Boston, Denver, and New York, to testify about the city's sanctuary policies. The national spotlight could also serve as a chance for Pritzker to further cement his status as a top potential contender for the Democratic nomination for president in 2028. The 60-year-old has not yet said if he'll run for re-election to the governorship in 2026. Pritzker has been garnering national headlines from calling out "do nothing Democrats" during a speech in New Hampshire, a key primary state, to appearing on late night talk shows. The governor, who is worth $3.7 billion per Forbes, is seen as a top contender for his party's nomination in 2028. He boasts a long list of progressive accomplishments in Illinois since he first took office in 2019, including codifying abortion rights, banning assault weapons, a big infrastructure funding plan, the legalization of recreational marijuana, and stabilizing the state's notoriously shaky finances. Dig deeper In 2017, Illinois enacted the TRUST Act under Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. The law bans local police from complying with federal requests to detain or arrest a person in the country illegally, unless ordered by a judge. Local law enforcement also cannot stop, search, or arrest anyone based solely on their immigration or citizenship status. In 2021, the state legislature passed laws expanding protections for immigrants in Illinois. The updated laws required local officials to end partnerships with ICE to detain immigrants. Lawmakers also prohibited officials from inquiring about the citizenship or immigration status of an individual in custody, unless they're presented with a federal criminal warrant. Among other measures, the state legislature also required state and local law enforcement agencies to report requests from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Despite the moves to protect migrants from potential arrests and deportations, Republicans have criticized the policies. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, a Republican who represents much of the rural cental parts of the state, called on local sheriffs earlier this year to defy the state's sanctuary laws. She said such policies have turned Illinois into a "cesspool of crime and drugs."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store