Democrats Plan Trump Family Business Probes If They Win Congress

Democrats are preparing potential Trump family business probes if they win control of either chamber of Congress in November's midterm elections.

The investigations could examine corporate donors to President Donald Trump's proposed White House ballroom and deals involving his family members. Potential areas include cryptocurrency ventures and Donald Trump Jr.'s venture capital firm, 1789 Capital.

Reuters reported on September 28 that Democratic lawmakers and congressional staff were considering investigations. Control of either the House or Senate would give Democrats greater control over committees, investigative resources and subpoena authority.

The plans remain conditional because the November election has not yet taken place. There is also no definitive list of companies or transactions that Democrats would investigate.

What Trump Family Business Deals Could Face Scrutiny

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut identified Trump-linked cryptocurrency businesses and 1789 Capital as potential areas of scrutiny.

Both lawmakers told Reuters that Democrats had not yet established a definitive list of targets. Raskin is the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. Blumenthal is a Democratic senator from Connecticut.

Sen. Adam Schiff of California has also warned companies against deleting records involving transactions with Trump and his administration.

'The First Family has been making money hand over fist,' Schiff told Reuters.

One transaction cited by Raskin involves Vulcan Elements, a North Carolina rare-earth magnet company. 1789 Capital invested in Vulcan in 2025, before the federal government announced a $620 million conditional loan commitment.

The Office of Strategic Capital announced the Vulcan loan in November 2025. The government said the financing would support domestic production of rare-earth magnets.

The timing has drawn scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers. However, the timing alone does not establish that the investment caused or improperly influenced the government financing.

Vulcan told Reuters that it did not ask or solicit its investors to facilitate the Pentagon loan. The company also said it would continue engaging with Congress in good faith.

1789 Capital has hired Quinn Emanuel to handle congressional investigations. The firm said it welcomes legitimate congressional oversight but objected to what it described as political gamesmanship.

The company also said Raskin had offered no proof of wrongdoing. These statements represent the companies' positions and do not constitute findings by Congress or a court.

The potential investigations could also examine companies connected to the proposed White House ballroom. Reuters reported that some businesses were already preparing for possible congressional scrutiny by hiring lawyers and crisis communications firms.

Kushner Business Ties and Possible Congressional Scrutiny

Jared Kushner's private equity firm, Affinity Partners, is another potential area of Democratic scrutiny.

Raskin told Reuters that lawmakers would want to question Kushner about his business relationships with Middle Eastern governments. Kushner is also serving as a U.S. special envoy for peace.

Reuters reported that Raskin had raised questions about deals involving Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Raskin described the situation as an 'outrageous conflict of interest'.

Kushner's lawyer, Chad Mizelle, rejected allegations of wrongdoing. Mizelle said critics had not identified a specific rule or regulation that Kushner had violated.

The legal distinction is significant. Reuters reported that Kushner is not a government employee, while federal employees are subject to rules restricting certain activities that could affect them financially.

The White House has also rejected the planned investigations. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Democrats had plans to obstruct Trump's agenda and 'baselessly target' the president.

Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota told Reuters that Democrats could face voter backlash if they focus heavily on Trump's personal and business affairs.

Other Republicans have indicated that some investigations could receive bipartisan support. Reuters reported that Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah had called for scrutiny of Donald Trump Jr. over payments connected to his wedding celebrations.

If Democrats gain control of the Senate, Blumenthal said they would use the chamber's subpoena authority.

'We will use our subpoena power, absolutely,' Blumenthal told Reuters.

Reuters reported that Democrats could begin investigations as early as February if they win control of a congressional chamber.

Any findings would depend on the evidence obtained during those inquiries. At present, the proposed investigations remain future congressional actions rather than findings of wrongdoing against Trump family members or their businesses.