Democratic lawmakers have asked the Department of Defense to investigate companies linked to President Trump's family after a Washington Post report that those firms received billions in federal contracts, investments and loans. Investment vehicles tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in at least 15 companies that were later offered $3.2 billion in awards and $3.1 billion in contract options — about $6.3 billion total. The lawmakers asked DoD Inspector General Platte Moring to review procurement policies for conflicts of interest and recommend any needed safeguards.
Democrats Demand Pentagon Probe Over Companies Linked to Trump Family, Citing $6.3B in Awards and Options
A group of Democratic lawmakers has asked the Pentagon to open an investigation into several companies tied to relatives of President Donald Trump after a Washington Post report that those firms received billions in federal contracts, investments and loans during his second term.
Lawmakers contend that investment firms connected to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump put money into at least 15 companies that were later offered $3.2 billion in awards and $3.1 billion in potential future contract options by the Department of Defense — a combined potential value of roughly $6.3 billion.
What the Letter Requests
The letter asks the Defense Department Inspector General, Platte Moring, to review DoD award-making policies and procedures to determine whether existing safeguards adequately prevent conflicts of interest or undue influence when private investors with ties to public officials are involved.
'Your determination of whether any Trump-affiliated company may have obtained financial benefits from DoD contracts or awards is particularly important in light of President Trump's admission that his children "have inside information" in "almost anything they do" with regard to their investment portfolios,' the letter says.
Signatories warn that the family's apparent influence over procurement decisions could undermine a process designed to "ensure that service members have the best equipment and most effective technologies and weapons systems on the market." The letter was signed by several congressional Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Rep. Robert Garcia (Calif.), the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.
The lawmakers asked the IG to examine whether the DoD's procurement rules and transparency measures need strengthening, and whether any DoD awards resulted in financial benefits to Trump-affiliated companies. The letter also seeks recommendations for additional safeguards to prevent real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
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