WASHINGTON D.C.: A big Democratic Party fundraising group on Wednesday filed a complaint against the Federal Election Commission, accusing it of allowing Donald Trump to break campaign finance law by spending political donations on a 2024 presidential bid he has yet to launch.
The group, American Bridge, complained in March to the FEC about Trump's Save America fund. Under U.S. law, the fund can pay for political activities such as Trump's travel, hotel stays and contributions to political allies, but it cannot be used to fund the former Republican president's own election campaign.
American Bridge says Trump is flouting campaign finance laws by dropping frequent hints that he is planning to seek the White House again while having Save America pay for rallies nationwide and digital advertising promoting him. Wednesday's suit, filed in the U.S. Court for the District of Columbia, alleges the FEC has failed to act on the March complaint, effectively allowing Trump to raise money for a presidential run without declaring himself candidate.
"The Commission's inaction has allowed Mr. Trump to continue violating the law," American Bridge said in the suit. "As each day passes that Mr. Trump is accepting excessive contributions, he sets himself up to have an unlawful head start against his opponents."
Trump has repeatedly hinted at another White House run but has not officially declared himself a candidate.
Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Budowich has previously described American Bridge's complaint as "frivolous" and with "zero merit."
The FEC declined comment. When American Bridge filed the complaint in March, the FEC said it could not comment until the matter was resolved or closed.
The FEC's leadership includes three Republicans, two Democrats and an independent. It often deadlocks on contentious issues.
Trump launched his Save America fund days after losing the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden.
The group has more than $100 million in the bank, a formidable war chest. Campaign finance analysts have speculated about the ways Trump could try to use the money should he run in 2024.
To date, it has been used to pay for rallies where Trump has appeared with Republican candidates for November's midterm congressional election and talked about another presidential bid.
Trump continues to top national polls among his party's possible 2024 presidential candidates, although other potential contenders have raised their profiles in recent weeks.
Democratic group sues US election watchdog over Trump’s $100 million war chest
https://arab.news/wrqr6
Democratic group sues US election watchdog over Trump’s $100 million war chest
- American Bridge says Trump is violating campaign finance laws by dropping hints he'll run again while Save America pays for rallies
UK Police arrest 86 people at prison protest for Palestine Action hunger striker
- Demonstration outside Wormwood Scrubs held in support of Umer Khalid
- Khalid 1 of 5 people charged in connection with break-in at RAF base last year
LONDON: A protest outside a prison in the UK in support of a man detained for supporting the banned group Palestine Action has led to the arrest of 86 people.
London’s Metropolitan Police said a group of demonstrators breached the grounds of Wormwood Scrubs prison in the capital, refused to leave when ordered to do so, and threatened officers. They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
The group, several of whom attempted to gain access to the prison itself, were protesting in support of Umer Khalid, who is currently on hunger strike at the facility.
Khalid is one of five people charged in relation to a break-in by Palestine Action members at an RAF base at Brize Norton last year, in which two military aircraft were damaged.
Khalid, who denies the charges, is one of several people who are on or who have taken part in hunger strikes in recent months, all of whom have been held on similar charges for over a year without their cases being brought to trial.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Ministry of Justice said: “The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable. While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.
“At no point was prison security compromised. However, where individuals’ actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.
“Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy. This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.”
