Democrats probe Trump’s $1B oil industry plea

By Timothy Cama | 05/14/2024 01:31 PM EDT

The former president is said to have asked oil and gas leaders for donations while promising pro-drilling policies.

Donald Trump.

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Wilfredo Lee/AP

House Democrats are investigating former President Donald Trump’s request last week that the oil and natural gas industry contribute $1 billion to his reelection campaign, citing potential ethical or legal violations.

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, sent letters Tuesday to executives at eight companies and one association said to be at an event with Trump.

The letters ask for “any information you may have about quid pro quo financial agreements related to U.S. energy policy,” citing reports in outlets — including The Washington Post and POLITICO — about the event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club.

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“Media reports raise significant potential ethical, campaign finance, and legal issues that would flow from the effective sale of American energy and regulatory policy to commercial interests in return for large campaign contributions,” Raskin wrote.

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