Jared Kushner under scrutiny in FBI investigation
President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law's ties with Russia turn heat up on administration
FBI investigators examining alleged ties between Donald Trump's administration and Russia have turned its focus on to the US President's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
According to CNN, the investigation is focussing on his reported contact with Russian officials, along with his "relationship with former national security adviser Michael Flynn", who Trump fired over his contradictory statements to Vice President Mike Pence about his contact with Russia's ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak.
Reports suggest investigators "believe [Kushner] has relevant information", but he is not suspected of committing any crimes.
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.
According to the Financial Times, Kushner has come under the spotlight over two meetings he had at the end of 2016, one with Kislyak and one with Sergei Gorkov, the head of state-owned development bank Vnesheconombank, which is currently under US sanctions.
Focussing on Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, brings the investigation "not only on to the doorstep of the White House, but the Trump family circle", writes NBC.
FBI officials also made it clear Kushner was in a "different category" from Flynn and Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who are regarded as the formal subjects of the investigation.
The records of both Flynn and Manafort have been demanded by grand jury subpoenas, NBC adds, while it is unclear whether the FBI has demanded the same of Kushner.
Kushner's lawyer said he is willing to talk to federal investigators if requested.
"Mr Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings," Jamie Gorelick told NBC. "He will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry."
Trump has described the FBI's investigations as "the single greatest witch-hunt of a politician in American history".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The pros and cons of labor unions
Pros and Cons Joining a labor union can have positives — and negatives
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'His death creates an opportunity for rough justice'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Movies to watch in October, from 'Joker: Folie à Deux' to 'Saturday Night'
The Week Recommends Joaquin Phoenix as Joker, a new Jason Reitman comedy and a buzzy Palme d'Or winner
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Flies attack Donald Trump
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Donald Trump criminal charges for 6 January could strain 2024 candidacy
Speed Read Former president’s ‘pettifoggery’ won’t work well at trial, said analyst
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Donald Trump in the dock: a fraught moment for US democracy
Talking Point There is speculation that former president could end up running his 2024 election campaign from behind bars
By The Week Staff Published
-
Donald Trump indicted again: is latest threat of prison a game changer?
Today's Big Question The former president ‘really could be going to jail’ but Republicans ‘may not care’ say commentators
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Trump told he could face charges over classified Mar-a-Lago documents
Speed Read A second criminal indictment is on the cards for the former US president and current Republican frontrunner
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
The return of Donald Trump to prime-time television
feature CNN executives have been condemned over the former president’s televised town hall
By The Week Staff Published
-
Durham criticizes FBI, offers little new in final report on 4-year Trump-Russia investigation review
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Trump ally’s ‘prove me wrong’ challenge backfires
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published