In a move that has raised eyebrows in the political sphere, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has urged the U.S. attorney general to appoint a special counsel to probe Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.
This development comes less than a fortnight before the much-anticipated Election Day.
According to Fox News, Representative Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, who is poised to assume the chairmanship of the Oversight Committee should the Democrats secure a victory in the House in November, has leveled accusations against Kushner. He alleges that Kushner may have breached the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) through his financial dealings post his tenure at the White House.
Kushner, who is wedded to Ivanka Trump, the daughter of the former President, held the position of senior White House adviser during Trump's initial administration. His hedge fund, Affinity Partners, has been under the Democrats' scanner since its establishment in 2021. The scrutiny has persisted even as the former President is in the running for a second term.
Kushner and his supporters have categorically refuted allegations of misconduct. Furthermore, they contend that the ongoing investigation into Kushner since 2021, and the recent clamor for a special counsel, are politically motivated, considering the imminent election.
"Recent public reports and a Senate investigation have uncovered significant evidence that Mr. Kushner acted as an unregistered foreign agent of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," stated a letter penned by Raskin and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon. "By his own admission, Mr. Kushner is actively advising former President Trumps campaign while being paid at least $80 million by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other foreign governments since June 2021."
The lawmakers also accused Kushner of compromising U.S. interests by "secretly advising the Saudi government." They referred to a Reuters report earlier this month that implicated Kushner in discussions about U.S.-Saudi relations involving Israel with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on multiple occasions post his White House exit.
Democrats have also highlighted a $2 billion investment in Affinity Partners by Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund following the conclusion of the Trump administration. "The scale of these undisclosed foreign payments to Mr. Kushner coupled with the national security implications of his apparent ongoing efforts to sell political influence to the highest foreign bidder are unprecedented and demand action from DOJ," Raskin and Wyden asserted.
In response to these allegations, Kushner and his allies dismissed any conflict of interest in a statement to Fox News Digital. "There is no conflict of interest. During Trump's four years in office, every decision he made was through the lens of what's in the best interest of America. When re-elected, he'll do the same," Kushner declared.
"Senator Wyden and Rep. Raskin are fortunate to be serving this country, and they should focus on the opportunity they have to positively impact peoples' lives and not on silly political stunts. This letter is beneath the level of seriousness that both of their chambers deserves," he added.
A spokesperson for the former White House adviser labeled the move as a desperate attempt by partisan Democrats to create an issue where none exists, mere days before an election. "Jared runs an SEC registered fund that abides by all laws and regulations," the spokesperson stated.
Affinity Partners Chief Legal Officer Chad Mizelle underscored that the request was made less than two weeks before Election Day. "Requesting DOJ appoint a special counsel to investigate the presidents family with no evidence 12 days before an election should be seen for what it is a disgraceful attempt by Wyden and Raskin to turn DOJ into a fully political operation days before an election," he remarked.
Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming and the Senate GOP Conference chairman, responded to Wyden and Raskins accusations, "Going after a family member of a presidential candidate less than two weeks from a national election is exactly the weaponization of government that President Trump has warnedabout."
This development could herald political unrest in Washington in the coming months if Trump reclaims the White House while his party fails to retain the House. Several Democrats have hinted to Fox News Digital that they plan to pursue investigations into Kushner if they secure the House majority, irrespective of whether Trump is President.
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