Another Trump supporter is in hot water after allegedly illegally obtaining donations for his campaign.
Senator Lindsey Graham, who is working overtime to obtain re-election, has been accused of illegitimately soliciting donations to his campaign when he asked his supporters for donations following Tuesday’s confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Soliciting campaign donations is illegal on federal property.
“I don’t know how much it affected fundraising today, but if you want to help me close the gap […] I think the contest in South Carolina has taken on sort of a national profile,” he pleaded while speaking with reporters.
According to the law, specifically 18 U.S. Code § 607, “It shall be unlawful for an individual who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government, including the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress, to solicit or receive a donation of money or other thing of value in connection with a Federal, State, or local election, while in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by an officer or employee of the United States, from any person.”
Those found guilty could face up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Many people soon took to social media to call out Graham, including Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell.
“This is a crime @LindseyGrahamSC committed a crime in plain sight,” Swalwell wrote on Twitter.
The law is one that Graham should be privy to as Senator, as it is also listed on the Senate Ethics Office website.
From July to September, Graham brought in $28 million for his campaign. However, his competitor, Democrat Jaime Harrison, over whom he now has a slight lead, raised $58 million during that same period. This is the most money raised by a Senate candidate in American history. Graham has since grown suspicious over Harrison’s excessive campaign donations.
“I don’t know what’s going on out there, but I can tell you there’s a lot of money being raised in this campaign. I’d like to know where the hell some of it’s coming from,” Graham said during the Barrett hearing on Tuesday.
There is no word yet on whether or not Lindsey Graham will face any consequences.
