Former President Trump’s campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Tuesday, accusing President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of violating campaign finance laws by transferring $91 million in fundraising cash from Biden’s campaign to Harris’ new campaign. Biden stepped out of the presidential race on Sunday after a debate performance that left much to be desired. Following his exit, he endorsed Vice President Harris to run in his place and transferred the substantial amount of campaign funds to her.
David Warrington, the general counsel for the Trump campaign, strongly criticized this move, labeling it as a “brazen money grab” that could potentially be the most significant violation in the history of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. The complaint alleges that Harris is attempting to commit a massive campaign finance violation by taking nearly $100 million from Biden’s campaign without proper authorization or legal basis.
The complaint specifically targets Biden, Harris, “Biden for President” (also known as Harris for President), and Keana Spencer, the treasurer, for allegedly violating campaign finance laws. It accuses them of making and receiving an excessive contribution and filing fraudulent forms with the FEC to repurpose one candidate’s campaign committee for the benefit of another.
According to the complaint, Harris’ actions raise legal concerns as she did not file a Statement of Candidacy or have her name associated with the authorized committee, “Biden for President,” as required by federal law. Instead, she allegedly altered Biden’s forms to replace his name with hers without following proper procedures. The Harris campaign has denied these allegations, calling them baseless.
Despite the controversy surrounding the fundraising transfer, Harris’ campaign has managed to raise over $100 million since Biden’s departure from the race. This significant fundraising milestone indicates strong support for Harris as she embarks on her presidential campaign. Additionally, Harris has emphasized the importance of unity within the Democratic party and has called on Biden’s campaign staff to continue supporting her in the upcoming election.
As the election date draws nearer, the focus remains on the legal implications of the fundraising transfer and the ongoing efforts of both campaigns to mobilize voters and secure victory in November. The Trump campaign’s complaint adds a new layer of complexity to an already contentious political landscape, highlighting the high stakes involved in the race for the presidency.