The Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into ActBlue, a prominent Democratic fundraising platform, amid allegations of illegal activities including money laundering and smurfing, a tactic involving the use of multiple small transactions to circumvent legal limits. Several top executives, including the highest-ranking legal officer, resigned from ActBlue less than three months ago, raising further scrutiny. Despite these developments, some media outlets like The New York Times have been criticized for downplaying the allegations, which include suspicions of foreign money being funneled into U.S. elections through the platform. Democrats have expressed concern over the investigation, with some defending ActBlue and others quietly preparing alternative fundraising mechanisms in case the platform is compromised. Republican investigations into ActBlue continue, highlighting partisan tensions surrounding the issue. Digital strategists within the Democratic Party see the situation as an impetus to explore new fundraising technologies and diversify their campaign finance infrastructure.