In a recent development, Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have called for an investigation into potential interference in a closed Department of Justice (DOJ) probe. The case in question involves allegations that the Egyptian government sought to contribute $10 million to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
The request, made on October 1, 2024, comes in response to a Washington Post article published in August 2023, which revealed details of a secret DOJ investigation. The probe, which was closed in 2020, centered around intelligence suggesting that Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi's government attempted to financially support Trump's campaign.
A key piece of evidence in the investigation was a $10 million withdrawal made from an account linked to the Egyptian General Intelligence Service at a Cairo bank on January 15, 2017, just five days before Trump took office. The funds were withdrawn in U.S. $100 bills, which feature Benjamin Franklin's portrait. This discovery in early 2019 intensified the secret investigation, highlighting potential violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, which prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. elections.
The case took a controversial turn when then-Attorney General William P. Barr personally involved himself, reportedly urging FBI leaders to impose "adult supervision" on agents seeking to obtain Trump's bank records. This intervention has raised concerns about potential political interference in the DOJ's operations.
Four senators - Richard Blumenthal, Mazie Hirono, Alex Padilla, and Sheldon Whitehouse - signed the letter to DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who has held the position since 2012. They expressed concern about "a pattern of conduct that includes improper political interference, ignoring standards for recusal, and abrogating Attorney General guidelines."
The senators emphasized the gravity of foreign interference in U.S. elections, noting that acceptance of foreign campaign contributions would constitute a federal crime. This concern aligns with the Logan Act of 1799, which criminalizes unauthorized negotiations with foreign governments, and the Constitution's Emoluments Clause, prohibiting federal officeholders from receiving gifts from foreign states.
"The Justice Department investigation found no wrongdoing and was closed."
The Trump campaign dismissed the allegations as "textbook Fake News," accusing the senators of attempting to "meddle" in the upcoming election. Barr did not respond to requests for comment.
This inquiry follows a previous attempt by top Democrats on the House Oversight Committee to question Trump about potential illegal receipts from the Egyptian government. The committee, established in 1816, received no response from Trump.
The senators argue that interference in a sensitive investigation of a sitting president by DOJ officials appointed by that president would constitute "an egregious breach of the Department's rules and procedures" and "a severe threat to the impartial administration of justice."
As the largest U.S. Attorney's Office, the District of Columbia office plays a crucial role in such investigations. The outcome of this request to Inspector General Horowitz could have significant implications for the integrity of the DOJ and the broader democratic process in the United States.