Well, well, well. The queen of outrage politics, Rep. Maxine Waters, just got slapped with a pretty embarrassing ruling from the Federal Election Commission. And no, it’s not for screaming “Impeach 45!” on national TV for the hundredth time — this time, it’s about real campaign finance violations. Who knew that the moral compass of California’s far-left could go so wildly off course?
According to a dump of documents released by the FEC, Waters’ 2020 campaign committee — hilariously named Citizens for Waters — committed a laundry list of violations. We’re talking about inaccurate financial reporting, accepting way-too-big donations, and even handing out prohibited cash disbursements. Nothing says “fight the power” like playing fast and loose with federal election laws.
Let’s get into the juicy parts. Between 2019 and 2020, Citizens for Waters took in $19,000 in excessive donations from just seven people. That’s more than double the legal limit per person. For someone who loves preaching about the integrity of our democracy, Waters sure has a funny way of showing it. And while the campaign eventually refunded the cash, the FEC notes it was “untimely” — kind of like a teenager cleaning their room only after being yelled at.
Oh, and it gets better. They also made four illegal cash disbursements totaling $7,000, each over the legal $100 limit. Because why follow the law when you’ve got decades of incumbency and a safe seat in a deep-blue California district, right?
The kicker? The campaign has now agreed to pay a $68,000 fine — chump change in D.C. terms, but still a major embarrassment. And their treasurer has to go back to school, literally — they’re required to attend an FEC training session. That’s a new one: sitting in campaign finance class like it’s detention for corrupt campaigns.
Waters’ lawyer tried to spin the whole thing by calling it a series of “errors” and insisted it “was not willful.” Sure. Just like the IRS accidentally audits conservatives more often than liberals. Nothing to see here.
And don’t forget the $192,300 that her campaign paid to her daughter for a “slate mailer” operation. That’s one heck of a family business. These mailers are controversial at best and deceptive at worst. But hey, when you’re a California progressive, rules are apparently for other people.
This isn’t her first run-in either. A 2018 complaint about illegal donations? Swept under the rug. Because when you’re Maxine Waters, accountability is optional.