DJT Aims Justice Department at ActBlue

Donald Trump signed an executive memorandum ordering the Department of Justice to investigate and take action against ActBlue, the main fundraising platform for Democrats.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is commanded to “investigate allegations regarding the unlawful use of online fundraising platforms to make ‘straw’ or ‘dummy’ contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees, and to take appropriate action to enforce the law.” Trump’s memorandum brands ActBlue as a fundraising platform Democrats apply “to improperly influence American elections.”

ActBlue said it “strictly abides” by all federal and state laws. It will challenge Trump’s action in court.

The online fundraising system took in over $400 million for Democratic candidates and causes in the first quarter of 2025. Democratic candidates use it as the payment processing platform for their campaigns, especially targeted at small-dollar grassroots donors. Its operational costs are paid for by small tips that donors have the option to add to their donations.

Republicans accuse it of everything nefarious that they can imagine. Rep. Congressional Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) claims it accepts illegal donations from foreign nationals. Congressional Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) claims its accepts donations from terrorist organizations.

Without evidence, Elon Musk accused ActBlue of orchestrating and funding widespread protests against his company Tesla. Musk claims ActBlue is backed by wealthy people he regards as adversaries, including liberal philanthropist George Soros and billionaire Reid Hoffman. Anyone familiar with ActBlue knows this is absurd.

Last year Congressional Representative Bryan Steil (R-WI), head of the House Administration Committee, demanded that ActBlue explain how it verifies donors. ActBlue did. Later, Steil acknowledge ActBlue “implemented updated policies to ‘automatically reject donations that use foreign prepaid/gift cards, domestic gift cards, are from high-risk/sanctioned countries and have the highest level of risk as determined.’”

In other words, Republicans have already investigated, found nothing to support wild accusations, and already got ActBlue to tighten up anything they complained about in the way it operates. There is nothing for the DOJ to prosecute. Trump is simply applying pressure the way he knows best, with threats and intimidation.

Traditionally, the DOJ is independent and is not told what to do by political operatives, especially the President.

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