ActBlue officials ghosted Congress when confronted with damning evidence of foreign donations, prepaid card schemes, and explicit directions to staff to “look for reasons to accept contributions” rather than flag suspicious activity.
Key Takeaways
- Congress is investigating ActBlue for allegedly weakening fraud prevention measures in 2024 despite evidence of extensive fraud, potentially violating federal campaign finance laws.
- Internal documents reveal ActBlue detected 237 donations from foreign IP addresses using domestic prepaid cards in just a 30-day period in 2024.
- ActBlue officials initially agreed to congressional interviews but withdrew after President Trump requested a DOJ investigation, prompting threats of subpoenas.
- State attorneys general have launched independent investigations while Congress demands access to “Suspicious Activity Reports” related to ActBlue’s operations.
- ActBlue’s training guide reportedly instructs fraud-prevention employees to “look for reasons to accept contributions” rather than flag suspicious donations.
Congressional Investigation Intensifies as Evidence Mounts
Three powerful House committee chairmen – Bryan Steil, Jim Jordan, and James Comer – have escalated their investigation into ActBlue, the Democrats’ primary fundraising platform, after uncovering what they describe as significant evidence of potential illegal activity. The investigation centers on ActBlue’s allegedly weak fraud-prevention practices, which may have enabled foreign contributions to flow into U.S. political campaigns in violation of federal law. According to findings sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi, ActBlue does not require basic security measures like card verification values (CVV) for contributions, directly contradicting requirements in the SHIELD Act.
“As we have explained, the Committees are examining allegations that ActBlue, a leading political fundraising organization, allowed bad actors, including foreign actors, to exploit the company’s online platform to make fraudulent political donations,” wrote House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis.
Internal Documents Reveal Concerning Practices
Perhaps most alarming are the internal documents obtained by congressional investigators suggesting ActBlue executives and staff were aware of fraudulent activities but deliberately chose not to address them properly. The joint interim staff report titled “Fraud on ActBlue: How the Democrats’ Top Fundraising Platform Opens the Door for Illegal Election Contributions” revealed that ActBlue’s training guide for fraud-prevention employees explicitly encourages accepting contributions rather than flagging suspicious donations. The company’s chief fraud-prevention official was reportedly willing to accept more fraud while prioritizing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives.
“look for reasons to accept contributions,” said ActBlue’s training guide for new fraud-prevention employees.
During a 30-day period in 2024, ActBlue detected 237 donations from foreign IP addresses using domestic prepaid cards, raising serious questions about compliance with laws prohibiting foreign interference in U.S. elections. The investigation also revealed that ActBlue actually made its fraud-prevention rules more lenient in 2024 despite evidence of extensive fraud, creating an environment where illegal contributions could more easily flow through the system.
ActBlue Officials Refuse to Cooperate
Congressional oversight efforts have hit roadblocks as ActBlue officials who initially agreed to interviews later withdrew their cooperation after President Trump requested a Department of Justice investigation. This sudden reversal prompted committee chairs to threaten subpoenas to compel testimony. The three committee chiefs emphasized that ongoing law enforcement investigations do not override Congress’s oversight authority, noting precedent that clearly establishes their right to continue their investigation regardless of parallel Executive Branch inquiries.
“The relevant precedent is clear that the mere existence of state or federal law enforcement investigations has no bearing on Congress’s oversight power. As such, an Executive Branch investigation into matters related to oversight by the Committees is not a legitimate basis on which you may decline our request,” said committee chiefs.
Rep. James Comer has drawn parallels between this investigation and the earlier probe into the Biden family’s financial dealings, stating, “We’re investigating ActBlue the same way we investigated the Bidens. … We’re starting with the suspicious activity reports — bank violations that flag financial crimes. And let me tell you, the evidence is overwhelming.” Congress has demanded access to these Suspicious Activity Reports, which could provide crucial evidence about potential money laundering or other financial crimes connected to ActBlue’s operations.
ActBlue’s Internal Turmoil and Response
Meanwhile, ActBlue appears to be experiencing significant internal upheaval, with multiple staff resignations and reports of a non-functioning legal team. This organizational chaos comes at a time when the platform needs strong leadership to address the serious allegations it faces. The company has publicly defended itself, claiming it employs rigorous security measures and prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. campaigns, but these assertions directly contradict the evidence uncovered by congressional investigators.
“We’re investigating ActBlue the same way we investigated the Bidens. … We’re starting with the suspicious activity reports — bank violations that flag financial crimes. And let me tell you, the evidence is overwhelming,” said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky.
Several state attorneys general have launched their own investigations into ActBlue’s practices, creating multiple fronts of legal scrutiny for the Democratic fundraising platform. With ActBlue having raised over $400 million in the first quarter of 2025 alone, the stakes of these investigations are enormous, potentially affecting hundreds of Democratic campaigns that rely on the platform for their fundraising operations. As Congress pushes forward with the SHIELD Act to prevent foreign money in U.S. politics, ActBlue’s practices have become a central focus in the broader effort to protect election integrity.
