Political accountability group American Democracy Legal Fund (ADLF) filed a complaint with the Justice Department this week alleging that Donald Trump cut a deal with Ben Carson in exchange for the retired neurosurgeon's endorsement. "It has recently come to light that Mr. Donald Trump may have willfully offered Dr. Ben Carson an appointment to his administration should he become president in return for supporting his candidacy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 599," says the letter, written by ADLF head Brad Woodhouse. "ADLF respectfully requests that you investigate this matter and take all appropriate action as soon as possible."
The letter cites comments Carson made in an interview with Newsmax TV three days after announcing his endorsement as evidence of a potential quid pro quo deal. In the interview, Carson said Trump was going to "surround himself with very good people," declining to go into detail "because all of this is still very liquid."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
School disputes: a police matter?Talking Point Cowley Hill lodged a police complaint against parents who criticised its recruiting process for a new head
-
The Subantarctic: wild islands far south of New ZealandThe Week Recommends Far from the usual tourist crowd, these remote islands showcase stunning wilderness and amazing animals
-
Who are the West Bank settlers?The Explainer While all eyes are on Gaza, Israeli settlers are encroaching further onto Palestinian land in the West Bank
-
Trump axes NSA head, NSC staff after Loomer adviceSpeed Read On the recommendation of Laura Loomer, Trump fired the head of the National Security Agency and several National Security Council officials
-
Trump says tariffs 'going very well' as markets fallspeed read US financial markets had their biggest one-day drop since the advent of Covid-19
-
Trump rolls out tariffs on virtually all importsSpeed Read On "Liberation Day," Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to America and higher reciprocal tariffs for some 60 other countries
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats ThurmondSpeed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi MangioneSpeed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seatSpeed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grabSpeed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jailSpeed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
