Trump files complaint against Harris campaign for using British staffers

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, arguing that Britain’s Labour Party is conducting “election interference” by helping the Harris-Walz campaign.

This comes after nearly 100 staffers from the left-leaning British party offered to head across the ocean and knock on doors for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, in battleground states.

“In two weeks, Americans will once again reject the oppression of big government that we rejected in 1776. The flailing Harris-Walz campaign is seeking foreign influence to boost its radical message — because they know they can’t win the American people,” Susie Wiles, Mr. Trump’s campaign co-manager, said in a statement Monday. 

“President Trump will return strength to the White House and put America, and our people, first,” she said. “The Harris campaign’s acceptance and use of this illegal foreign assistance is just another feeble attempt in a long line of anti-American election interference.”

The complaint included a screenshot from a LinkedIn post from Sofia Patel, head of the Labour Party’s operations, saying she still has spots available for anyone wanting to head to North Carolina and that she would figure out their housing plans.

“Those searching for foreign interference in our elections need to look no further than Ms. Patel’s LinkedIn post. The interference is occurring in plain sight,” Gary Lawkowski, deputy general counsel for the GOP nominee, wrote in the complaint.

Mr. Lawkowski demanded the commission launch an investigation “into blatant foreign interference in the 2024 presidential election in the form of apparent illegal foreign national contributions.”

The party said in a statement that it’s “common practice for campaigners of all political persuasions from around the world to volunteer in U.S. elections” and that those who get involved “do so at their own expense.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters Wednesday that any Labour members in the U.S. were there as volunteers, which is “what they’ve done in previous elections, is what they’re doing in this election.”

He said the volunteers helping the Harris campaign will not affect his relationship with Mr. Trump and “of course, as prime minister of the United Kingdom, I will work with whoever the American people return as their president in the elections.”

The FEC website says that “generally, an individual (including a foreign national) may volunteer personal services to a federal candidate or federal political committee without making a contribution.

“The [Federal Election Campaign Act] provides this volunteer ‘exemption’ as long as the individual performing the service is not compensated by anyone,” the website says.

• This story is based in part on wire service reports.