Democrats target Jared Kushner over Qatar position in building deal trends now

Democrats target Jared Kushner over Qatar position in building deal trends now
Democrats target Jared Kushner over Qatar position in building deal trends now

Democrats target Jared Kushner over Qatar position in building deal trends now

Two powerful Democratic committee chairs are seeking to mop up any information from government files that might shed light on Jared Kushner's 'financial entanglements' while he was a senior White House advisor as they expand their investigation.

They are probing Kushner's policy role as a key Middle East advisor to father-in-law Donald Trump, at a time his own company was seeking an investor who would bail out a Manhattan office building that was in dire need of a cash infusion with a big loan coming due.

The lawmakers, Senate Finance Committee chairman Ron Wyden and House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney, wrote the State Department and the Pentagon in search of any information related to the transaction, to Kushner's financial interests, or to Brookfield Asset Management – the firm that paid $1.1 billion for a 99-year lease on the building.

They also obtained and released new documents related to the effort to locate an investor in 2016, when Kushner was advising Trump's presidential campaign, and in 2018, when his father Charles Kushner conducted outreach while the son was working in the White House.

Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner's company sold a $1.1 billion lease to a Manhattan office building but maintained ownership

Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner's company sold a $1.1 billion lease to a Manhattan office building but maintained ownership

(Kushner would obtain a pardon from Trump during the president's last days in the White House).

The lawmakers are focusing on the transaction relating to 666 Fifth Avenue property, in an acquisition the Kushners engineered. 

In an April 15, 2016 email, Brookfield chairman Ric Clark wrote Kushner: 'Jared — thanks for coming down last Friday. We are excited about your project.' Then he referenced some follow-ups, and added: 'Congratulations on yesterday’s election. Sorry I wasn't around for it.' That was a reference to the New York GOP primary, which Trump won on his road to the White House.

The letters to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken seek a variety of information on Kushner. 

Kushner carved out a portfolio that included the Middle East while advising Trump. Here he talks to Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Serbia

Kushner carved out a portfolio that included the Middle East while advising Trump. Here he talks to Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Serbia

Kushner and wife Ivanka Trump attended the World Cup in Qatar. Both are out of politics after advising Trump

Kushner and wife Ivanka Trump attended the World Cup in Qatar. Both are out of politics after advising Trump

The lawmakers wrote Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in search of information

The lawmakers wrote Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in search of information

The trophy building was a major Kushner investment, but required a new cash infusion

The trophy building was a major Kushner investment, but required a new cash infusion

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