The political persecution of former President Trump knows no ends. Now they’re going after his family too.
And the Trump family is reeling after this Senate Democrat went for their throats.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden initiated an investigation Wednesday into Jared Kushner’s investment firm, claiming that the large quantity of foreign cash raises the possibility that Middle Eastern regimes may seek favor with politically connected figures who may return to power in Washington.
Mr. Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, claimed that the structure of payments to Affinity Partners, created by Mr. Kushner, Ivanka Trump’s husband, conceals them from public scrutiny and may be an attempt to circumvent the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
“It is deeply concerning that several Middle Eastern governments are using funds managed by Affinity as a means to pay tens of millions of dollars in fees every year to former President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, creating significant conflicts of interest and potential counterintelligence risks,” Mr. Wyden said.
The Democrat began the investigation following the conviction of President Biden’s son, Hunter, in Delaware for three federal gun charges.
Some Republicans argue that the trial disguised deeper problems about Hunter Biden’s efforts to profit from his famous father’s reputation through companies like Seneca Global Advisors, which purported to assist businesses grow into overseas markets.
Hunter Biden’s overseas dealings are also key to the House Republicans’ impeachment investigation targeting President Biden, which has mostly stalled.
According to House investigators, Hunter Biden and his partners utilized shell businesses to conceal the foreign money, and the investments appeared to be an attempt to influence the elder Mr. Biden, who served as vice president from 2009 to 2017.
That’s why Democrats are pushing to investigate Mr. Kushner’s firm which invested more than $1 billion in enterprises in Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and throughout Europe. The companies include auto leasing companies, food companies in the Middle East, and a $500 million hotel and condominium project in Serbia.
Mr. Kushner has stated that he observes the law and will make a lot of money for investors. He has also downplayed his desire to return to the White House after serving as President Trump’s adviser.
Democrats, including Mr. Wyden, claim the firm, which obtained 99% of its funding from foreign sources, is laden with possible conflicts of interest as Mr. Trump plans his return to the White House.
“This series of events creates an appearance that Affinity’s investors are motivated not by commercial interests of seeking a return on investment, but rather by strategic considerations of foreign nationals seeking to funnel money to U.S. individuals with personal connections to former President Trump,” Mr. Wyden wrote to Affinity Partners Chief Financial Officer Lauren Key.
Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, the leading Republican on the Finance Committee, declined to comment on Mr. Wyden’s investigation, according to his spokesman.
Mr. Wyden asked for a comprehensive list of facts by June 26, including a list of Affinity personnel and investors since 2021, correspondence with foreign entities, and information on investment valuations, salaries, and fees.
The senator is particularly interested in investments from Saudi Arabia.
According to his letter, the Saudi Public Investment Fund invested around $2 billion of the $3 billion in assets handled by Affinity Partners in June 2021, just after Mr. Kushner’s departure from the White House.
“As the founder and sole owner of Affinity, Kushner is the biggest beneficiary of the fees paid to Affinity by the Saudi PIF and other Gulf state clients,” stated the letter.
According to Mr. Wyden’s letter, the Saudi PIF’s investment committee raised concerns about Affinity Partners’ operations and lack of experience, but were overridden by the crown prince and the PIF’s board of directors.
And what about Hunter’s lack of experience in the natural gas industry at Burisma in Ukraine? Crickets.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
