Scoop: Gallego under federal investigation over campaign spending

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is under federal investigation for suspected campaign finance violations, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The investigation — which Gallego's team cast as a partisan attack by a weaponized Justice Department — could cast a shadow over the freshman senator's political future as he eyes a potential 2028 run for president.

• The Justice Department's probe comes after the Senate Ethics Committee closed its inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations after finding no evidence that Gallego violated Senate rules or applicable law, according to a letter released by his office Monday.

Driving the news: The DOJ investigation stems from a "whistleblower complaint" out of Southern California, according to a source familiar with the probe.

• Gallego used a political committee's PAC to fund excursions to Miami, Chicago, Disneyland and Disney World with his family, Politico first reported.

What they're saying: "[President] Trump is targeting Senator Gallego while the most weaponized Department of Justice in history is turning a blind eye to Trump's unprecedented corruption," a Gallego spokesperson told Axios in a statement.

• "It's the least surprising news of the week that this comes immediately after the Senate Ethics Committee cleared Senator Gallego of right-wing smears pushed by the administration," the spokesperson added.
• The Justice Department declined to comment.

Catch up quick: Earlier this month Axios reported that Gallego had hired former Biden deputy press secretary Andrew Bates to focus on crisis communications, including any dealings with the Senate ethics panel or fallout from Gallego's friendship with former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.).

• Swalwell resigned from Congress after four women accused him of sexual harassment, assault and rape.

Gallego has denied wrongdoing and has said the allegations against him were politically motivated.

• The congressional ethics process is separate from any federal criminal investigation.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments by a Gallego spokesperson.