ACT BLUES: Gavin Newsom Puts Democrat Fundraising Ahead of Wildfire Victims

California wildfire victims taking a backseat to governor's progressive political causes?

Charitable donations made for the benefit of California wildfire victims could be diverted toward "progressive" political causes, compliments of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The two-term governor, who first assumed office in 2019, has established a new website called California Fire Facts designed to counter his critics over his mismanagement of the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. But the site funnels donations through ActBlue, a controversial and partisan online fundraising platform for Democrats, instead of directly aiding wildfire charities—while taking a 4% processing fee, money that should've gone to the victims.

In other words, Newsom is enriching a partisan fundraiser for political purposes under the guise of aiding Californians who've lost their homes and livelihoods.

Users who visit Newsom's site and click on a link for the California Fire Foundation are then diverted to an ActBlue operated donor page that identifies the Campaign for Democracy, Newsom's super PAC, as the fundraising entity. 

The foundation is a Sacramento-based nonprofit that provides financial to the families of foreign firefighters and their communities. Prospective donors are free to contribute directly to the foundation without involving ActBlue. But users who make use of the ActBlue platform on Newsom's site can expect to receive periodic text messages from his super PAC if they provide their cell phone number. 

I See Blue People

As Restoration News has previously reported, ActBlue is under investigation at the federal and state level over allegations of money laundering in critical races to help elect Democrats.

Last October, a coalition of 19 state attorneys general initiated an investigation into ActBlue and the alleged role it plays in "smurfing" exercises that involve that illegal practice of repackaging large sums of money into smaller, individual transactions. A "smurf" is an individual whose name and identity is used with their permission or consent. They typically have no idea that hundreds or even thousands of dollars of donations have been made in their name. A Restoration News analysis of campaign finance records, shows that a high concentration of smurfs could potentially swing close, competitive elections in favor of the Democratic candidate. 

At the federal level, Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil, the Republican chairman of the Committee on House Administration, has joined with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) to probe into the possibility that hostile foreign actors may be making use of the ActBlue platform. 

Steil and Johnson have sent letters to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines expressing concern specifically about the specter of China, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, funneling money through ActBlue to influence the 2024 U.S. election.

ActBlue was founded in 2009 for the benefit of the Democratic Party, Democratic candidates, and left-wing causes. The ActBlue networks includes a political action committee, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called   ActBlue Charities, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit called  ActBlue Civics.

Because of California term limit laws, Newsom cannot seek a third term and his time in office will expire in early January 2027. However, Newsom has been prominently mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. 

(READ MORE: Did Money-Laundering Help Democrats Win Virginia in 2024?)

Kevin Mooney is a Senior Investigative Researcher for Restoration News specializing in energy policy, environmentalist groups, and dark money. He writes regularly for the American Spectator, Washington Examiner, Daily CallerDaily Signaland National Review. Kevin is the author of an upcoming book on the climate change movement and American independence.

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