Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) has acknowledged that she is currently under investigation by the Justice Department, Federal Election Commission (FEC), and House Ethics Committee. The investigations focus on alleged misuse of campaign funds for personal security, raising potential legal consequences and political challenges as moderates target left-wing lawmakers in Democratic primaries.
The House sergeant-at-arms’ office caused a stir by notifying the House that an unidentified member had received a DOJ subpoena. Punchbowl News first reported that Cori Bush is the subject of this subpoena.
In response to the investigations, Bush confirmed the Justice Department’s review of her campaign’s security spending. She stated her full cooperation with the investigation and denied using official congressional funds for security, asserting proper use of campaign funds.
Bush also denied any wrongdoing regarding the use of campaign funds to retain her husband as part of her security team, emphasizing his extensive experience in security and his ability to provide services at or below a fair market rate.
The investigation is rooted in what Bush describes as “baseless” and “frivolous” complaints from right-wing organizations. Ongoing reviews by the Federal Election Commission and House Ethics Committee are noted, with the Office of Congressional Ethics having already unanimously dismissed the case.
Facing a well-funded primary challenge from local prosecutor Wesley Bell, Cori Bush’s political landscape is complex. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized her full cooperation with the DOJ’s investigation and her entitlement to the presumption of innocence.
As the investigations unfold, the Department of Justice and Federal Election Commission have yet to comment on the matter, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Cori Bush’s political future.
