Senator Reportedly Faces Campaign Spending Probe

Sen. Ruben Gallego seems to be back under a federal microscope, but this time over how he spent political money. The Arizona Democrat is being investigated by the Justice Department for possible breaches of campaign finance rules tied to trips funded through a political committee's PAC, including family travel to Miami, Chicago, Disneyland, and Disney World, report Politico and Axios. The New York Times also mentions Super Bowl tickets allegedly purchased for more than $37,000, as well as more than $26,000 in childcare expenses.

The probe follows a separate Senate Ethics Committee review into sexual misconduct and campaign spending allegations that cleared Gallego of breaking Senate rules or laws, per Axios. The latest investigation reportedly arose from a "whistleblower complaint" in Southern California, a source tells the outlet. Earlier this month, Gallego brought on former Biden deputy press secretary Andrew Bates to help manage crisis communications as he navigates ethics questions and fallout from his association with now ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.

Gallego, a freshman senator viewed as a possible 2028 presidential contender, has denied any wrongdoing and says the allegations against him are politically motivated. A Gallego rep tells CNN that President Trump is "targeting" the senator via his "weaponized" DOJ. Gallego, meanwhile, has said that the travel he's being slammed for was allowable under the law and a valid expense for fundraising ventures, per the Times, which adds that "spending on child care is not only allowed, but also increasingly frequent." "I will at times bring my wife and children with me to these retreats and fundraisers," Gallego added in a recent social media post. "Are these at nice venues? Yes, it's where the donors are, and it's part of campaigning."