Rep. Cori Bush Confirms DOJ Investigation, But is She The Target of a Right-Wing Attack?

Representative Cori Bush (D-MO) is facing a Justice Department investigation related to alleged misuse of federal funds. But the Congresswoman says there’s more to the story.

On Tuesday, Punchbowl News reported that the Justice Department was conducting a “criminal probe” into Cori Bosh over the alleged misappropriation of federal security money.

Rep. Bush responded to the news with a statement confirming the investigation but denying any wrongdoing. “First and foremost, I hold myself, my campaign, and my position to the highest levels of integrity,” said Rep. Bush. “I also believe in transparency, which is why I can confirm that the Department of Justice is reviewing my campaign’s spending on security services.”

The progressive Congresswoman and activist argued that the allegations against her were politically motivated. “In recent months, right-wing organizations have lodged baseless complaints against me, peddling notions that I have misused campaign funds to pay for personal security services,” she said. “That is simply not true.”

Some of the allegations also centered around her husband’s role in the campaign, which Rep. Bush addressed. “In accordance with all applicable rules, I retained my husband as part of my security team to provide security services because he had extensive experience in this area, and is able to provide the necessary services at or below a fair market rate.”

The allegations swirling around Bush are hardly new. Bush has faced multiple investigations, and in September, the Office of Congressional Ethics cleared her of wrongdoing related to allegations of misuse of campaign funds.

Democratic House leadership is sticking behind Bush. “Representative Cori Bush has indicated that she is fully cooperating with the Department of Justice in connection with the ongoing investigation,” wrote a spokesperson for House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries to Punchbowl. “Like any other American, she is entitled to the presumption of innocence. It is our expectation that the investigation will follow the facts, apply the law, and be conducted in a professional manner.”