Trump Lawyers Argue Harris Can't Access Biden's $100 Million Campaign Funds

Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), asserting that Vice President Kamala Harris cannot legally take control of nearly $100 million in campaign funds originally donated to President Joe Biden. The complaint, obtained by The Daily Wire, claims that changing the name of Biden's campaign committee to Harris's constitutes a significant campaign finance violation.

“This is little more than a thinly veiled $91.5 million excessive contribution from one presidential candidate to another, that is, from Joe Biden’s old campaign to Kamala Harris’s new campaign,” wrote Trump general counsel David A. Warrington. “Contributions by federal candidate committees to other federal candidates are limited to $2,000.”

The complaint alleges, “Kamala Harris is in the process of committing the largest campaign finance violation in American history and she is using the Commission’s own forms to do it.”

Federal campaign finance law requires candidates to create a campaign committee with their name and file a statement of candidacy designating that committee as their fundraising vehicle. Harris bypassed these steps. Instead, on Sunday, the campaign treasurer amended Biden’s statement of candidacy, replacing his name with Harris's and designating her campaign committee, using the same ID as Biden's. The paperwork for the committee's name was also amended.

“There is no provision in federal campaign finance law for Kamala Harris to take over Joe Biden’s candidacy now by quite literally attempting to become him via an amendment… and making off with all of his cash,” Trump’s lawyers argue. “Ms. Harris’ actions constitute a massive excessive contribution from Biden for President to Ms. Harris.”

Federal campaign finance law generally allows a campaign committee to be linked to only one candidate. Trump’s lawyers note that although Harris’s name has been associated with Biden's forms since 2020, this does not entitle her to the funds. If Harris had decided to challenge Biden for the presidential nomination, she would not have been able to claim the campaign's war chest.

“If the Commission were to deem Joe Biden to have ended his candidacy before transferring his campaign funds to Kamala Harris, then this only creates another violation. Federal candidates are prohibited from keeping contributions for elections in which they do not participate,” the complaint states.

Trump’s legal team accuses Harris and committee treasurer Keana Spencer of attempting to defraud the Commission and suggests they should be referred to the Department of Justice for investigation and prosecution as part of “a conspiracy to obstruct the lawful functions of the United States.”

Spencer also submitted a miscellaneous document to the FEC, stating that “Vice President Harris is now a candidate for United States President in the 2024 election and will henceforth be conducting campaign activities only in pursuit of that office.”

The FEC, currently chaired by a Republican and composed of three commissioners from each party, cannot take action unless a majority of commissioners vote to do so.

Let's ensure we stay informed and connected. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.