(José Niño, Headline USA) Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called on Jared Kushner to immediately remove himself from Middle East and Ukraine negotiations.
In a letter sent Thursday, Raskin pointed to fresh reports that Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, tapped secret slush funds bankrolled by foreign governments during the first Trump White House.
Raskin also widened his probe into Kushner’s overseas dealings. He requested financial records that could show whether Kushner pocketed foreign payments while he held diplomatic authority, and whether foreign spy agencies gathered blackmail material that undercuts his ability to represent the U.S. government.
“You are simply unfit to serve in any capacity in the United States government, much less in a capacity that involves interaction with Kings, princes and foreign states. You are clearly unable to conduct any arms-length negotiation with the Russian Federation or have even passing involvement with any diplomatic endeavor that includes the Saudi, Emirati, or Israeli governments—such as the war in Iran. You cannot possibly serve as U.S. diplomat when at least five foreign governments—the Saudis, the Emiratis, the Israelis, the Russians, and even the Dutch—appear to have damning kompromat on you,” Raskin wrote.
The allegations stem from excerpts of the book “Princes and Thieves,” which Vanity Fair published. According to the excerpts, Kushner’s financial ties to foreign powers took root during Trump’s first term. After he left government, he raised billions more from the same regimes he had courted in office. The excerpts claim he could access hidden accounts funded by foreign governments, including a slush fund tied to financing proxy wars and another meant for his own benefit.
Raskin argued that these arrangements raise grave questions about criminal corruption, conflicts of interest, and possible violations of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause. The reporting further alleges that Russian intelligence hacked Kushner’s phone, which could hand Moscow leverage over a senior official within the president’s own family.
None of the alleged accounts appeared on Kushner’s mandatory public financial disclosures.
Because Kushner still negotiates for the United States as “Special Envoy,” Raskin insisted he step back until he can prove these ties have not compromised him. The congressman also wants a complete accounting of Kushner’s financial interests and bank account access, including any foreign government payments to accounts that Kushner or an immediate relative controls.
Kushner has ignored earlier requests from Judiciary Democrats. In April, Raskin sought records on Kushner’s dual role as a U.S. negotiator and head of Affinity Partners, his investment firm that relies overwhelmingly on foreign money. In August, Raskin broadened the inquiry to cover Kushner’s $120 million land purchase in Albania and whether he used his closeness to Trump and his diplomatic post to boost his private ventures.
Kushner answered neither letter, and Raskin’s newest letter repeats both requests.
José Niño is the deputy editor of Headline USA. Follow him at x.com/JoseAlNino
