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Inquiry of Trump Friend Focused on Foreign Lobbying

July 28, 2019 · 4:49 pm ET · Leave a Comment

Tom Barrack, the longtime friend of President Trump and the chairman of his inaugural, is the subject of a federal probe into influence peddling by foreign governments, the New York Times reports.

“Investigators have looked in particular at whether Mr. Barrack or others violated the law requiring people who try to influence American policy or opinion at the direction of foreign governments or entities to disclose their activities to the Justice Department.”

“The inquiry had proceeded far enough last month that Mr. Barrack, who played an influential role in the campaign and acts as an outside adviser to the White House, was interviewed, at his request, by prosecutors in the public integrity unit of the United States attorney’s office in Brooklyn.”

Lobbyists, White House Tom Barrack

Trump Inaugural Chair Sought to Profit from Event

February 5, 2019 · 7:14 pm ET · Leave a Comment

“The investment firm founded by the chairman of Donald Trump’s inaugural committee, Tom Barrack, developed a plan to profit off its connections to the incoming administration and foreign dignitaries,” according to a confidential memo obtained by ProPublica.

From the memo: “The key is to strategically cultivate domestic and international relations while avoiding any appearance of lobbying.”

Lobbyists Tom Barrack

Bonus Quote of the Day

January 11, 2017 · 8:06 am ET · Leave a Comment

“What we’ve done instead of trying to surround him with what people consider A-listers is we are going to surround him with the soft sensuality of the place. It’s a much more poetic cadence than having a circus-like celebration that’s a coronation.”

— Trump inauguration planner Tom Barrack, quoted by Politico.

Trump Transition Tom Barrack

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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