Trump inaugural chair Tom Barrack charged with 'conspiracy to illegally advance and promote' foreign government's interests


Thomas Barrack, who served as chair of former President Donald Trump's inaugural committee, has been arrested and charged with allegedly acting illegally as an agent to a foreign government.
Prosecutors on Tuesday accused Barrack and two other defendants of "acting and conspiring to act as agents" of the United Arab Emirates between April 2016 and April 2018. Barrack was an informal adviser to Trump's 2016 campaign, and The Washington Post notes he was one of Trump's "closest associates during the campaign and in office."
"As alleged, the defendants, using their positions of power and influence in a presidential election year, engaged in a conspiracy to illegally advance and promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates in this country, in flagrant violation of their obligation to notify the Attorney General of their activities and in derogation of the American people's right to know when a foreign government seeks to influence the policies of our government and our public opinion," Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelin M. Kasulis said.
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.
Prosecutors alleged the defendents "repeatedly capitalized on Barrack's friendships and access" to Trump and government officials to "advance the policy goals of a foreign government without disclosing their true allegiances." Barrack allegedly took "numerous steps" to advance the UAE's interests, including putting language praising the country into a campaign speech in 2016. He is also being charged with obstruction of justice and with making false statements to law enforcement agents during an interview in 2019.
"The conduct alleged in the indictment is nothing short of a betrayal of those officials in the United States, including the former president," Acting Assistant Attorney General Mark Lesko said.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Real-life couples creating real-deal sparks in the best movies to star IRL partners
The Week Recommends The chemistry between off-screen items can work wonders
-
Is China's giant new hydropower dam a 'water bomb' aimed at India?
Today's Big Question River is a 'lifeline for millions' across Asia
-
Aysegul Savas' 6 favorite books for readers who love immersive settings
Feature The Paris-based Turkish author recommends works by Hiromi Kawakami, Virginia Woolf, and more
-
Judge halts GOP defunding of Planned Parenthood
Speed Read The Trump administration can't withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, said the ruling
-
Trump contradicts Israel, says 'starvation' in Gaza
Speed Read The president suggests Israel could be doing more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office