A Republican senator has called for a Senate Judiciary Committee investigation into whether members of President Donald Trump’s family have profited from his time in office, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and national security risks.
Senator John Curtis of Utah sent a letter on September 22 urging the committee to examine business dealings involving Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., including payments made by Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev for wedding events held in the Bahamas earlier this year. Congressional Democrats have already initiated a probe into these payments.
Curtis highlighted a range of Trump Jr.’s business ventures under scrutiny, such as cryptocurrency promotions, real estate projects, and prediction market platforms, contending that these activities could create either actual or perceived access and influence that might compromise government integrity. He warned that such relationships might generate expectations of favorable treatment or reciprocal favors, potentially endangering U.S. interests and allies.
In response to reports about the wedding payments, President Trump stated last week that his son is repaying Kremlev but did not provide further specifics. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Trump Jr. intended to reimburse the Russian oligarch. Trump family representatives have denied any conflicts of interest, noting that the family business is managed through trusts overseen by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
Despite Curtis’s call for a probe, there was no immediate indication of action from Senate Republicans, who currently hold the majority. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley declined to comment on the request, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he lacked sufficient information to take a position. A committee spokesperson acknowledged receipt of Curtis’s letter but noted the limited time remaining this year to arrange hearings, emphasizing that such investigations often require extensive periods to develop.
Curtis invoked ongoing scrutiny faced by Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, as a precedent for bipartisan oversight, arguing that congressional investigations should apply equally to all presidential families regardless of party affiliation. “The country should not have to accept one standard for the family of a Republican president and another for the family of a Democratic president,” he wrote.
Hunter Biden has been subject to multiple Republican-led inquiries over his foreign business dealings, though he denies any wrongdoing. Democrats on the Judiciary Committee have expressed support for Curtis’s request. Ranking member Senator Dick Durbin stated that while Hunter Biden has testified before Congress, Donald Trump Jr. has not. Durbin warned that ignoring the matter could be tantamount to enabling a cover-up.
Requests for comment from Donald Trump Jr.’s representatives were not immediately returned, and representatives for Hunter Biden were not available for comment. The situation adds to the broader conversation about transparency and ethics involving family members of sitting presidents.