At a Glance
- Senior Democrats request DOJ probe into Jared Kushner’s foreign activities
- Allegations focus on undisclosed foreign payments and potential FARA violations
- Democrats draw parallels between Kushner’s case and Hunter Biden’s foreign dealings
- Investigation request emphasizes national security concerns and foreign influence
Democrats Target Jared Kushner’s Foreign Dealings
In a move that echoes recent Republican efforts against Hunter Biden, senior congressional Democrats have called on the Justice Department to investigate Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor. House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden are spearheading the request, citing potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
The Democrats’ focus on Kushner’s activities, particularly his work with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern governments, has raised concerns about undisclosed foreign payments and their implications for national security. This investigation request comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings, which have been a central focus of House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
🚨NEW: RM @RepRaskin and Senate Finance Chair @RonWyden urge DOJ to appoint a special counsel to investigate Jared Kushner—former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law & former senior White House adviser—for acting as an unregistered foreign agent:https://t.co/xAFBVpogT7
— Oversight Committee Democrats (@OversightDems) October 24, 2024
Parallels to Hunter Biden Investigation
The allegations against Kushner bear striking similarities to those leveled against Hunter Biden by House Republicans. Both cases involve claims of undisclosed foreign payments and potential influence peddling. A House-led impeachment probe previously uncovered millions in undisclosed foreign payments to Hunter Biden and James Biden during Joe Biden’s vice presidency.
“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,” Jamie Raskin and Ron Wyden said.
Interestingly, Raskin has been a vocal opponent of the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, which centered on Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings. This apparent contradiction has not gone unnoticed, with some Republicans accusing Raskin of hypocrisy.
Kushner’s Saudi Connections Under Scrutiny
At the heart of the Democrats’ concerns are Kushner’s dealings with Saudi Arabia. Senate Democrats claim that Kushner’s firm, Affinity, collected at least $87 million in management fees from the Saudi government. This has led to allegations that Affinity serves as a conduit for Saudi influence over the Trump family.
Democrats argue that Kushner’s activities, such as advising Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman and meeting with U.S. officials, may require FARA registration. They emphasize the importance of enforcing FARA to protect national security and prevent foreign influence in U.S. politics.
Today @RepRaskin & @RonWyden urge DOJ to appoint special counsel to investigate FARA violations by Jared Kushner
Kushner Acted as a Shadow Diplomat & Political Adviser to Crown Prince MBS Who Directed Billions in Saudi $ to Kushner-Owned Affinity Partnershttps://t.co/RvEiY7LGfA
— Wendy Siegelman (@WendySiegelman) October 24, 2024
Implications for Political Landscape
The call for an investigation into Kushner’s activities highlights the ongoing debate about foreign influence in American politics. It also underscores the partisan nature of such investigations, with each side accusing the other of misconduct while defending their own.
“If the Republicans had a smoking gun, or even a dripping water pistol, they would be presenting it today, but they’ve got nothing on Joe Biden,” Jamie Raskin said.
As the political battle continues, the American public is left to navigate a complex web of allegations, investigations, and counter-accusations. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for both the Trump and Biden families, as well as for the broader issue of foreign influence in U.S. politics.