Democratic leaders on the House Oversight Committee have taken a bold step by requesting information from former President Donald Trump regarding potential illegal campaign contributions from Egypt.
As reported by The Washington Post, this inquiry stems from a recently revealed secret Justice Department investigation that explored whether Trump received unlawful funding from the Egyptian government during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The Democrats' letter, while not carrying the weight of a subpoena, aims to shed light on a $10 million infusion into Trump's campaign and its possible connection to Cairo. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Rep. Robert Garcia of California, both prominent Democrats on the committee, are spearheading this effort. The inquiry specifically focuses on whether Trump directly or indirectly received funds from Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi or his government.
The Democrats' request for information is rooted in a complex investigation that began in early 2017. U.S. intelligence had indicated that Egyptian President El-Sisi sought to send Trump $10 million, prompting a closer look into potential foreign interference. Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III, initially appointed to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election, took charge of this separate Egypt-related probe.
A significant breakthrough came in early 2019 when Mueller's team obtained records from Egyptian banking officials. These records revealed a substantial cash withdrawal of nearly $10 million from an account linked to the Egyptian General Intelligence Service. The timing of this withdrawal, just days before Trump's inauguration, raised serious questions and intensified the investigation.
Following Mueller's departure, prosecutors from the U.S. attorney's office in Washington, D.C., continued the probe. They proposed subpoenaing Trump's bank records to trace any potential influx of Egyptian funds into his accounts, including during his early months in the White House.
Despite the initial momentum, the investigation faced significant obstacles. By the fall of 2019, top Justice Department officials, including then-Attorney General William P. Barr, had effectively halted the probe's progress. Barr reportedly expressed doubts about the sufficiency of evidence to continue the investigation.
Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney who ultimately closed the case, cited a lack of evidence as the reason for its termination. This decision came after prosecutors and FBI agents were prevented from obtaining crucial bank records that could have potentially linked Egyptian funds to Trump's accounts.
The Trump campaign has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. In response to the Democrats' letter and previous reporting, campaign spokesman Steven Cheung stated:
The Justice Department investigation found no wrongdoing and was closed. None of the allegations or insinuations being reported on have any basis in fact.
The Democratic leaders' letter draws a parallel between the Trump investigation and another high-profile case involving foreign influence. They highlight the recent conviction of former Senator Bob Menendez, who was found guilty of accepting bribes and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Egypt.
In the Menendez case, leaders of Egypt's General Intelligence Service were implicated in funding cash bribes through an Egyptian American business. This connection adds weight to the Democrats' concerns about potential Egyptian attempts to influence American politics at the highest levels.
The letter specifically asks Trump to clarify the source of funds used to repay a $10 million loan to his 2016 campaign, which was initially reported as a contribution but structured as a loan. The Democrats seek information on any individuals or entities involved in funding, arranging, or transferring money for this loan or its repayment.
The House Democrats' inquiry into potential Egyptian funding of Trump's 2016 campaign brings renewed attention to issues of foreign influence in American elections. While the original Justice Department investigation was closed without charges, questions persist about the source and nature of campaign funds. The parallel with the Menendez case underscores concerns about Egypt's attempts to sway U.S. politics. As Trump seeks the presidency again, these unresolved questions may play a significant role in public discourse and political debates.
