U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) went on a tirade Wednesday against Republican-led efforts to investigate foreign donations made through ActBlue, accusing the Trump administration of maliciously targeting black women.
ActBlue is a Democratic fundraising platform suspected of accepting potentially illegal donations.
"This investigation is just one more example of Republicans and President Trump using power of his office to harass and intimidate anyone willing to challenge him," Sewell said. "The Trump Department of Justice has used its power to intimidate and victimize communities of color, especially Black Americans."
She cited the indictments against the Southern Poverty Law Center as another example of Trump’s alleged “harassment.”
“Just look at their targeted harassment of the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that has worked tirelessly for decades to counter white supremacist organizations.”
The SPLC is accused of stirring up the very “hate” it claims to fight against by allegedly funneling millions of dollars to white supremacist groups.
Watch: SPLC head refuses to walk back labeling Charlie Kirk as an extremist
Democrat Rep. Terri Sewell lashes out and smears Republicans as racist for investigating fraud during ActBlue hearing:
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 10, 2026
"Over and over again, Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has harassed Black women with bogus lawsuits!” pic.twitter.com/BoZXQz5mEb
Sewell continued, “Over and over again, Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has harassed black women with bogus lawsuits. We should not forget the harassment of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook, the harassment of the New York Attorney General, Tish James and the harassment of our colleague, New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver."
Sewell defended McIver in May 2025 after McIver was charged with assaulting a federal agent during an intense confrontation in front of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. Video of the incident appears to show McIver allegedly impeding ICE agents and hitting or shoving at least one officer while the crowd attempts to breach the facility's gate.
“It is not surprising that this Republican-led committee is now attacking ActBlue and its CEO, Ms. Wallace-Jones,” Sewell concluded.
Sewell received significant contributions from ActBlue in 2023.
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