Two leading Senate Democrats are demanding a thorough investigation into potential conflicts of interest surrounding Boris Epshteyn, a longtime advisor to President-elect Donald Trump, CBS News reports.
Sens. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are calling for all Trump appointees to disclose any communications with Epshteyn, following allegations that Epshteyn solicited payments in exchange for assistance in securing government appointments.
In a letter addressed to Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and copied to Trump’s transition team leader Susie Wiles, Durbin and Whitehouse request that the Republican senators require all nominees appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee to preserve and produce all communications with Epshteyn. The senators expressed concern over whether nominees made promises or assurances to Epshteyn in exchange for his support.
“Questions remain regarding whether any nominees made promises or other assurances to Mr. Epshteyn as a condition of his support,” the senators wrote.
A source within the Trump transition team dismissed the letter as a “pathetic Lawfare tactic.”
Epshteyn vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “false and defamatory.” He asserted that the claims would not deter the “Making America Great Again” agenda.
The senators’ call for transparency follows reports in the New York Times detailing an internal review conducted by David Warrington, incoming White House counsel, which concluded that Epshteyn had solicited payments from at least two individuals. The Times reported that Warrington recommended Trump distance himself from Epshteyn.
These allegations are further substantiated by a sworn declaration from former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, who claimed Epshteyn’s behavior implied an expectation of business dealings in exchange for advocating for his appointment to the Trump administration. Greitens’ declaration was part of the internal investigation conducted by Warrington.
