Republican Senator Curtis Seeks Senate Probe Into Trump Jr.'s Business Dealings

A Republican US senator has called for a congressional investigation into the business activities of President Donald Trump's family, citing concerns that their dealings could create national security risks and undermine public trust.

Senator John Curtis of Utah sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday urging the panel to examine relationships involving the president's family and potential leverage by domestic and foreign actors. He specifically pointed to hundreds of thousands of dollars paid by Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev for wedding celebrations for Donald Trump Jr. in the Bahamas this year.

The move follows a Democratic investigation launched last week into the wedding payments. Trump said last week that his son is reimbursing Kremlev, though he provided no further details. A person familiar with the matter said Trump Jr. planned to repay the Russian.

Curtis also raised questions about Trump Jr.'s other business ventures, including cryptocurrency promotion, real estate deals and prediction market platforms, as his father occupies the White House.

"These reports raise legitimate questions about foreign access to members of a sitting president's family and whether such relationships can create actual or perceived expectations of favorable treatment," Curtis wrote. He added that such ties could create expectations of returned favors that would not serve American interests or those of allies, and could even open national security vulnerabilities.

The Trumps have defended their business dealings during Trump's time in office and denied any conflicts of interest, pointing to a trust managed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. Representatives for Donald Trump Jr. could not be immediately reached for comment.

Curtis invoked previous congressional scrutiny of former President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, arguing that oversight should apply equally regardless of party. "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. "Nor should congressional oversight begin and end when control of the White House changes hands."

Hunter Biden, who has worked as an artist, lawyer and investor, has faced years of Republican scrutiny over his foreign business dealings and has denied any wrongdoing. Representatives for him could not be immediately reached.

The letter marks the second time in two days that prominent Republicans have publicly broken with the president, six weeks before midterm elections in which the party is defending narrow majorities in Congress. Republicans Ashley Hinson and Mike Rogers, both running for Senate, on Monday called for a swift end to the Iran war, seeking to distance themselves from an unpopular conflict that has driven up energy prices and the cost of living.

Unlike Rogers and Hinson, Curtis is not up for reelection until 2030. Polling this week showed Trump's public approval at its lowest point ever, with support for electing Republicans in the November 3 midterms also weakening.