Trump orders investigation into ActBlue amid donation allegations

In the United States, President Donald Trump recently directed the Justice Department to initiate an investigation into ActBlue, the primary fundraising platform for the Democratic Party. This action follows repeated accusations from Republican officials claiming that ActBlue allows for illegal campaign contributions, including foreign donations and fraudulent 'straw' donors. The presidential memorandum outlined the directive to Attorney General Pam Bondi to conduct the investigation, with findings required within 180 days. The timing of Trump's memorandum aligns with ongoing tensions between him and the Democratic Party, as Republicans launched similar investigations into ActBlue over the past year, alleging inadequate fraud safeguards. In a letter to supporters, ActBlue's president Regina Wallace-Jones responded, asserting that the organization remains committed to facilitating grassroots donations while denouncing Trump's actions as a political attack designed to undermine democratic participation. This investigation is part of a broader pattern observed during Trump's presidency, where governmental powers have been employed against opposing political figures and organizations. The Republican National Committee Chair, Michael Whatley, has publicly supported the investigation, proclaiming that it is a necessary step to combat what he describes as a