US lawmaker declares probe into Jared Kushner over alleged conflict of interest

A senior Democrat in the House Judiciary Committee has announced a “sweeping” investigation into alleged self-enrichment by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, citing concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

In a letter addressed to Kushner, Congressman Jamie Raskin alleged that Kushner had solicited billions of dollars from Gulf monarchies for his private investment firm while also serving in a prominent diplomatic role in the Middle East.

Raskin said Kushner’s involvement with his firm, Affinity Partners, while acting as a ‘Special Envoy for Peace’ during the Trump administration, created what he described as a “glaring and incurable conflict of interest”.

The lawmaker further alleged that Kushner had earlier pledged to remain outside government service during Trump’s second term and not to raise funds for his firm during that period but had subsequently failed to adhere to those assurances.

According to the letter, Affinity Partners has amassed assets worth more than $6 billion, with a significant portion of funding reportedly coming from foreign investors, including sovereign wealth funds linked to governments in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The issue of Kushner’s financial ties to the region has previously drawn scrutiny. In 2022, media reports said his firm secured a $2 billion investment from a fund associated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Raskin alleged that Kushner had continued to play a role in sensitive geopolitical engagements while maintaining financial links with foreign governments, raising concerns over potential conflicts between public responsibilities and private business interests.

There was no immediate response from Kushner to the allegations.