The Democratic Party’s premier fundraising machine is facing an uncertain future amid investigations, staff departures, and political headwinds. ActBlue stands accused by Republicans of illegally collecting money for Democrats during the 2024 election by using deceptive methods. But its brushes with controversy go back further than the last cycle, and its next chapter could be consequential for a party that is out of power and directionless.

This Washington Examiner series, Feeling Blue, examines what accusations ActBlue faces and how it cashes in on sometimes destructive protester politics. Part 1: A look at the allegations facing ActBlue House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) speaks during a House Committee on House Administration hearing on “American Confidence in Elections: Protecting Political Speech” on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., May 11, 2023, after recent bank failures. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ActBlue is a not-for-profit payment processor used by Democratic political campaigns at all levels of government and left-of-center activist groups to handle online contributions.

The platform plays a vital role in the liberal financial ecosystem, having processed well over $16 billion in donations since its founding in 2004.