Dem Senators Actions Amid Fires Raises Eyebrows

By
Gregory McMullen
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It seems Democrats have found a way to turn even a tragic wildfire into an opportunity for political fundraising, and the backlash is well-deserved. Reports reveal that Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, among others, are directing wildfire relief donations through ActBlue, a partisan fundraising machine notorious for its role in bankrolling Democrat campaigns. The move is being met with outrage—and for good reason.

ActBlue isn’t your standard charitable platform. It’s a fundraising apparatus tied directly to the Democratic Party, skimming 3.95% off the top of every donation and compiling valuable email lists in the process. While the left frames it as a convenient way to channel funds, the reality is murky at best. Why route wildfire relief donations through a political organization when donors could contribute directly to vetted charities? The answer lies in a deeply troubling strategy to exploit disaster relief for partisan gain.

According to reports, ActBlue’s involvement in these efforts could have broader implications. By funneling donations through a 501(c)(4), Democrats may be creating a loophole to generate “dark money” for their campaigns. As one political strategist explained, donations ostensibly intended for wildfire victims free up funds elsewhere to finance electioneering ads without scrutiny. In other words, your $20 to help displaced families might indirectly fund attack ads in the next election cycle.

This isn’t just speculation—it’s a deliberate manipulation of the system. Using the tragedy of the California wildfires as cover for partisan fundraising crosses a moral line that should outrage Americans of all political stripes.

Adding insult to injury is the questionable nature of some of the charities receiving these funds. Take the “Latino Community Foundation,” which prioritizes immigrant rights advocacy—a noble cause in its own right but one unrelated to wildfire relief. How much of the money raised will actually help wildfire victims versus advancing unrelated political agendas?

And then there’s the rhetoric from figures like Jon Lovett and Jon Favreau of Pod Save America, who defend this setup as if former Obama staffers have a unique talent for vetting charities. Their smug insistence that ActBlue is the best option, despite the obvious flaws in the system, only fuels skepticism.

If these Democrats genuinely cared about wildfire victims, they’d direct donors straight to reputable organizations with boots on the ground. Instead, they’ve opted for a convoluted process that benefits ActBlue, builds their donor database, and creates a pathway for untraceable campaign funds. This isn’t about helping people—it’s about exploiting a crisis for political leverage.

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