DOJ opens probe into Sen. Gallego after ethics panel clears him on spending claims

The Department of Justice has opened a probe into Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) for potential campaign-finance violations, days after the Senate Ethics Committee cleared him of misconduct allegations. The inquiry reportedly centers on using campaign funds for lavish family trips—including Disney World, Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Chicago—and for attending the 2023 Super Bowl, plus $18,000 in leadership-PAC childcare reimbursements. Gallego has defended the spending as legitimate fundraising expenses and dismissed the accusations as right-wing conspiracies.