Former president Donald Trump has filed an official complaint with the FEC challenging Vice President Kamala Harris’s entitlement to over ninety million dollars in President Biden’s remaining campaign funds.
Biden Exits Presidential Race
President Joe Biden announced his exit from the 2024 presidential campaign earlier this month, and his vice president swiftly stepped in to run in his place.
Kamala Harris Running for Democratic Nomination
Kamala Harris, with Biden’s enthusiastic endorsement, is now the de facto Democratic nominee for president.
Biden Announces Endorsement of Harris
“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” wrote Biden on social media. “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.”
“Today I Want to Offer My Full Support and Endorsement”
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden continued.
Experts Agree Harris Should Get Biden Campaign Funds
According to campaign finance experts, Harris is likely entitled to any funds left in Biden’s campaign accounts because she was on Biden’s ticket as his vice president. But Trump and several other Republican critics are challenging the claim.
The “Biggest Violation in the History of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971”
In the complaint, Trump’s attorney told the Federal Election Commission that he believes Harris’s attempt at accessing the funds would be the “biggest violation in the history of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.”
“A Brazen Money Grab”
“Kamala Harris is seeking to perpetrate a $91.5 million dollar heist of Joe Biden’s leftover campaign cash – a brazen money grab,” read the complaint.
Federal Law Supports Harris’s Claim to Funds
However, as far as federal law is concerned, the money has always belonged to Harris as much as to Biden. Since Biden and Harris essentially exist as one entity for campaign purposes, they have equal access to funds in the campaign accounts.
Funds are for “Mr. Biden and Mr. Biden Only,” Reads Complaint
“For purposes of the 2024 election cycle, and especially with respect to the primary election still underway, Biden for President is the authorized campaign committee of Mr. Biden and Mr. Biden only,” read the complaint letter.
Trump Argues Nomination Technicality
Trump and his lawyers argue that since Biden was not named the official Democratic nominee in the 2024 election, the federal campaign laws that give Harris access to that money do not apply.
Technicality Does Not Apply, Say Experts
But experts say that a 2024 nomination is irrelevant since Harris has been a part of Biden’s campaign team for four years, meaning that she has remained entitled to funds in the account since her first election alongside President Biden.
Biden “Has No Idea Where He Is,” According to Trump
The campaign finance issue is not the only challenge Trump is bringing to the table, as he is currently arguing that Biden has no place serving the remaining months of his presidency because he “has no idea where he is.”
“If He Can’t Run for Office, He Can’t Run Our Country”
“If he can’t run for office, he can’t run our country,” said Trump online.
Republican VP Pick Weighs In
Trump’s Vice President pick, J.D. Vance, has also called for Biden to step down, suggesting that Democrats should turn to the 25th Amendment to force his hand.
“Invoke the 25th Amendment,” Calls Vance
“There’s a constitutional process, the 25th Amendment,” Vance said. “If Joe Biden can’t run for president, he can’t serve as president, and if they want to take him down because he’s mentally incapable of serving, invoke the 25th Amendment.”
Vance: Biden is “the Worst President in my Lifetime”
Vance, 39, also accused Biden of being “the worst President in my lifetime,” and suggested that Harris will continue Biden’s legacy if she wins the election.
Trump Complaint Unlikely to Bring Results
As of now, it appears that it is unlikely for Trump’s FEC complaint to have any real consequences.
FEC Process Expected to Take Months
Not only do experts agree that Harris is entitled to the joint campaign funds, but there is also no reason to believe that an FEC investigation would commence and complete prior to November.
Trump’s Social Media Attacks
Trump continues his attacks on the president and vice president on social media, most recently posting, “Crooked Joe Biden and Lyin’ Kamala Harris are a great embarrassment to America – there has never been a time like this!”
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Joseph Sohm.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.
