Democrats Plan Probe of Trump Family Business Deals if They Win Midterms

Democratic lawmakers in the United States are preparing to investigate business dealings involving President Donald Trump and members of his family if the party gains control of either chamber of Congress in November’s midterm elections.

According to lawmakers, congressional staff and attorneys familiar with the plans, the proposed investigations could target corporate donors connected to Trump’s White House ballroom project and companies involved in business arrangements with members of the Trump family.

Control of either the House of Representatives or Senate would give Democrats greater subpoena powers and additional resources for congressional investigations. Reuters reported that some inquiries could begin as early as February if Democrats take control of either chamber.

The potential investigations come as Trump’s family business interests have expanded into areas including cryptocurrency, drones, artificial intelligence and prediction markets during his second term in the White House.

Democratic lawmakers have also raised questions about transactions involving companies connected to Trump’s sons and government agencies.

Among the issues being examined is a $620 million Pentagon loan to rare-earth company Vulcan Elements. The loan was announced several months after an investment by 1789 Capital, a venture fund associated with Donald Trump Jr.

A spokesperson for Vulcan Elements told Reuters that the company did not ask or encourage its investors to facilitate the Pentagon loan and said it would cooperate with congressional inquiries. 1789 Capital, meanwhile, said it welcomed legitimate congressional oversight but accused Democrats of making politically motivated allegations.

Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a presidential peace envoy, is another potential focus. Democratic lawmakers have questioned dealings involving his private equity firm, Affinity Partners, and governments in the Middle East.

Kushner’s lawyer has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, saying critics had not identified any applicable rule or regulation that he had violated.

Democrats have also indicated that they could examine the financing of Trump’s proposed White House ballroom and relationships between companies, donors and the administration.

Senator Adam Schiff has warned companies involved with the administration to preserve records relating to transactions that could become the subject of congressional oversight.

Other Democrats have said they intend to use subpoena powers if their party takes control of Congress.

The proposed investigations are not limited to the Trump family’s commercial interests. House Democrats have outlined a wider oversight programme that could examine the administration’s policies, government spending, immigration enforcement, foreign policy and other issues.

The issue has already attracted some bipartisan attention. Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah has called for an investigation into Donald Trump Jr.’s recent wedding celebrations after reports that Russian businessman Umar Kremlev helped finance two events connected with the celebrations. Trump Jr.’s representatives have described the contribution as a gift from a friend, while President Trump has said the money would be repaid.

The potential Democratic investigations would come with significant political and legal challenges. Companies and administration officials could contest congressional demands for documents or testimony, potentially leading to lengthy court battles over the scope of congressional oversight and executive privilege.

For now, the investigations remain contingent on the outcome of the November midterm elections. Democratic lawmakers have made clear, however, that scrutiny of Trump’s business interests and his family’s commercial activities would be among their priorities if they gain control of Congress.