Press Releases
Top Intel Democrat Probes Counterintelligence Threat from Trump Family Ties to Kremlin
Washington,
September 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jim Himes, Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel regarding public reporting that a Russian oligarch with close ties to President Vladimir Putin paid for significant portions of Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding celebration in May 2026. “As you know, the FBI has primary responsibility for counterintelligence within the United States,” wrote Himes, “including identifying and mitigating efforts by foreign intelligence services and their proxies to gain access to Americans in positions of power. Although Mr. Trump Jr. is not a public official, as the son of the President and as someone with access to senior policymakers, he would be a natural target for foreign espionage and influence operations.” The letter continued, “As noted by former FBI counterintelligence officials quoted in the ProPublica reporting, foreign intelligence operatives seek ties with U.S. officials and their relatives and may use financial inducements to gain access. In this case, it appears a Kremlin-connected individual provided substantial undisclosed financial benefits to a close family member and political adviser of the President. These facts warrant careful counterintelligence review to identify and mitigate risks to national security—whether or not a crime was committed. And, as you know, in the counterintelligence context the FBI regularly opens investigations on the basis of a threat to national security alone.” The letter included a series of questions regarding the counterintelligence concerns with a deadline of September 30th for response. The full letter is available here. |