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SBF Says Biden Officials Targeted Him After GOP Donations

Mary veronicalOctober 15, 2025Last Updated: October 15, 2025

4 minutes read

SBF claims his prosecution followed secret GOP donations made during the 2022 cycle. Bankman says the arrest blocked planned testimony on a crypto bill before Congress. Lawmakers highlighted missing SEC messages tied to his charges and arrest timing. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried claims his prosecution came from political pressure within the Biden administration, according to a message shared through his GETTR account on Wednesday. The statement, published by a friend with access to his account, alleges that federal action followed his undisclosed financial contributions to Republicans in 2022. The arrest came shortly before he was scheduled to testify before Congress on cryptocurrency legislation. Political Alignment and Donations Bankman-Fried said his political outlook differed in 2020, describing himself as center-left at the time. However, he noted that by 2022 he viewed himself as a centrist, citing frustration with how former SEC Chair Gary Gensler approached crypto regulation. He claimed that this change led him to donate tens of millions of dollars privately to Republican candidates ahead of the midterms. According to his account, those donations were not made publicly and were routed through channels intended to limit visibility. He asserted that the Biden administration's Department of Justice and the SEC moved against him within weeks of those contributions. In his view, the timing suggests that the enforcement was driven by political fallout rather than regulatory process. Arrest Timing and House Republican Claims Bankman-Fried alleges he was detained the night before he was expected to appear on Capitol Hill to provide testimony on a proposed crypto bill he supported. The bill had gained interest among lawmakers and industry figures tracking digital asset legislation. He asserted that his arrest took place only weeks before the pending vote. House Republicans referenced his testimony schedule at the time, arguing that the detention interfered with his appearance. They claimed the prosecution could have disrupted his ability to address members of Congress and present his perspective on digital asset oversight. Lawmakers then sought documents from the SEC regarding the internal discussions around the timing of his charges and arrest. He further stated that correspondence involving Gensler was requested by congressional offices but was later reported lost, according to his version of events. The allegation resurfaced debate around oversight, transparency, and regulatory communication with Congress. Related: Sam Bankman-Fried’s X Return Sparks Over 50% FTT Surge Broader Reaction and Related Narratives His statements also revive comparisons made previously between his case and other politically charged financial investigations. Bankman-Fried pointed to commentary from conservative figures who have framed his prosecution as an example of selective enforcement. In past remarks, he referenced cases involving critics of foreign regimes, including Miles Guo, to illustrate claims of political retaliation by authorities. Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal have reported efforts by his family to explore possible leniency options after his conviction. Conservative activist Laura Loomer recently said that a push existed to secure a pardon from former President Donald Trump. She argued online that the move sought to recast Bankman-Fried as a political target despite his earlier financial backing of Democratic campaigns. Some questioned whether a coordinated lobbying effort exists, while others highlighted the lack of documentation supporting those claims. Mentions of an exploratory pardon effort appear in reporting from January, when sources told Bloomberg and the Journal that strategy discussions had taken place. Reports also noted that Bankman-Fried donated more than $40 million in the 2022 election cycle, most of it to Democratic candidates. However, prosecutors said some Republican-linked donations were made using customer funds, routed through so-called straw donors. Those transactions became part of the broader fraud case tied to the collapse of FTX and Alameda Research. Renewed Scrutiny Over Politics and Enforcement The resurfaced claims come as creditors continue to seek asset recoveries and regulators monitor crypto market fallout. Bankman-Fried’s message comes as his appeal is pending after receiving a 25-year prison sentence and $11 billion in forfeiture orders. His post does not provide documentation to support his accusations but attempts to reframe the events leading to his arrest. His message also notes continued friction between segments of the crypto sector and federal authorities over enforcement strategies and policy direction. Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried’s account outlines a timeline linking political donations, regulatory disputes and his arrest before scheduled testimony. His claims reference reactions from House Republicans, commentary by Laura Loomer and reports of lost communications at the SEC.

SBF claims his prosecution followed secret GOP donations made during the 2022 cycle.
Bankman says the arrest blocked planned testimony on a crypto bill before Congress.
Lawmakers highlighted missing SEC messages tied to his charges and arrest timing.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried claims his prosecution came from political pressure within the Biden administration, according to a message shared through his GETTR account on Wednesday. The statement, published by a friend with access to his account, alleges that federal action followed his undisclosed financial contributions to Republicans in 2022. The arrest came shortly before he was scheduled to testify before Congress on cryptocurrency legislation.

Political Alignment and Donations

Bankman-Fried said his political outlook differed in 2020, describing himself as center-left at the time. However, he noted that by 2022 he viewed himself as a centrist, citing frustration with how former SEC Chair Gary Gensler approached crypto regulation.

He claimed that this change led him to donate tens of millions of dollars privately to Republican candidates ahead of the midterms. According to his account, those donations were not made publicly and were routed through channels intended to limit visibility.

He asserted that the Biden administration’s Department of Justice and the SEC moved against him within weeks of those contributions. In his view, the timing suggests that the enforcement was driven by political fallout rather than regulatory process.

Arrest Timing and House Republican Claims

Bankman-Fried alleges he was detained the night before he was expected to appear on Capitol Hill to provide testimony on a proposed crypto bill he supported. The bill had gained interest among lawmakers and industry figures tracking digital asset legislation. He asserted that his arrest took place only weeks before the pending vote.

House Republicans referenced his testimony schedule at the time, arguing that the detention interfered with his appearance. They claimed the prosecution could have disrupted his ability to address members of Congress and present his perspective on digital asset oversight. Lawmakers then sought documents from the SEC regarding the internal discussions around the timing of his charges and arrest.

He further stated that correspondence involving Gensler was requested by congressional offices but was later reported lost, according to his version of events. The allegation resurfaced debate around oversight, transparency, and regulatory communication with Congress.

His statements also revive comparisons made previously between his case and other politically charged financial investigations. Bankman-Fried pointed to commentary from conservative figures who have framed his prosecution as an example of selective enforcement. In past remarks, he referenced cases involving critics of foreign regimes, including Miles Guo, to illustrate claims of political retaliation by authorities.

Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal have reported efforts by his family to explore possible leniency options after his conviction. Conservative activist Laura Loomer recently said that a push existed to secure a pardon from former President Donald Trump. She argued online that the move sought to recast Bankman-Fried as a political target despite his earlier financial backing of Democratic campaigns.

Some questioned whether a coordinated lobbying effort exists, while others highlighted the lack of documentation supporting those claims. Mentions of an exploratory pardon effort appear in reporting from January, when sources told Bloomberg and the Journal that strategy discussions had taken place.

Reports also noted that Bankman-Fried donated more than $40 million in the 2022 election cycle, most of it to Democratic candidates. However, prosecutors said some Republican-linked donations were made using customer funds, routed through so-called straw donors. Those transactions became part of the broader fraud case tied to the collapse of FTX and Alameda Research.

Renewed Scrutiny Over Politics and Enforcement

The resurfaced claims come as creditors continue to seek asset recoveries and regulators monitor crypto market fallout. Bankman-Fried’s message comes as his appeal is pending after receiving a 25-year prison sentence and $11 billion in forfeiture orders.

His post does not provide documentation to support his accusations but attempts to reframe the events leading to his arrest. His message also notes continued friction between segments of the crypto sector and federal authorities over enforcement strategies and policy direction.

Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried’s account outlines a timeline linking political donations, regulatory disputes and his arrest before scheduled testimony. His claims reference reactions from House Republicans, commentary by Laura Loomer and reports of lost communications at the SEC.

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