Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah has asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to issue a subpoena for Donald Trump Jr following reports of Russian financial ties.
The request follows reports that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev, who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, paid for part of the wedding expenses for the president's son.
In a letter sent on September 21, Curtis asked committee leaders to examine the funding, which reportedly covered a lavish wedding celebration on a private island. Politico reported the request after details were published by ProPublica.
The letter was addressed to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, and the leading Democrat on the panel, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. The committee is a standing body of the US Senate responsible for congressional oversight of legal and administrative matters.
Curtis wrote that questions had emerged regarding connections between Donald Trump Jr. and foreign business figures, as well as his receipt of significant gifts. He noted that Kremlev reportedly visited China as part of an official delegation accompanying Putin shortly before providing the wedding gift.
The Utah senator stated that these concerns were heightened by Donald Trump Jr.'s active promotion of family-backed cryptocurrency projects and profits earned from crypto operations. He also cited ongoing international real estate deals involving direct meetings with foreign heads of state, alongside reports of investments in defense contracts.
Curtis argued that the situation forms part of a broader trend where relatives of US presidents might improperly leverage their proximity to power. He said the nation should not tolerate separate standards for families of Republican and Democratic presidents, adding that congressional oversight must not depend on changes of power in the White House.
Subpoena request for Hunter Biden
To ensure equal oversight, Curtis also requested that the Senate Judiciary Committee issue a subpoena for Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden. Hunter Biden has faced years of scrutiny and public controversy over potential conflicts of interest.
Curtis said both men should be called to testify regarding their past business dealings, relationships with foreign individuals and organizations, and any gifts or benefits received. He urged lawmakers to question both figures on whether their links to the presidency were used or perceived as a source of personal gain.
White House response and defense
President Donald Trump responded in a statement, saying he had no idea who Kremlev was and had never heard of him. The president maintained that Kremlev did not pay for the wedding of Don and Bettina, stating that event occurred at a completely different location and on a different date.
However, President Trump later told reporters that Donald Trump Jr. would return the money spent by the Russian businessman. The president said his son personally informed him of the decision to repay the funds.
A representative for Donald Trump Jr. did not deny Kremlev's financial involvement in funding the event. The representative described Kremlev as a personal friend of Don.
National security concerns and oligarch background
Kremlev is the president of the International Boxing Association, the global governing body for amateur boxing. Putin previously awarded him the Order of Friendship medal for contributions to international sports, and the Ukrainian government has placed Kremlev under sanctions over his ties to the Russian president.
The disclosure has prompted growing concern on Capitol Hill. UNIAN reported that The Guardian highlighted potential legal and political consequences for Donald Trump Jr., while Congressman Robert Garcia warned that expensive gifts from Putin associates raise severe national security and public administration corruption questions.
