1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to launch a comprehensive congressional investigation into the pervasive corruption that has become the defining characteristic of the Trump administration—a government of billionaires, by billionaires, for billionaires. The evidence is overwhelming. The proposed Lukoil transaction demonstrates this pattern starkly: business executives with ties to presidential negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are seeking to acquire Russian oil assets worth approximately $20 billion. Putin himself raised this deal during Ukraine negotiations, and the administration responded affirmatively, with officials directly participating to secure preferential terms. Lifting U.S. sanctions would dramatically increase asset values, rewarding those who secured approval. Foreign governments have learned that purchasing access yields immediate returns. Qatar donated a $400 million Boeing 747 jumbo jet after Trump solicited it, violating constitutional prohibitions against foreign emoluments. Following this gift, Trump granted Qatar a security guarantee and development deals—a brazen quid pro quo while American taxpayers bear refurbishment costs. The administration's Venezuelan approach reveals similar corruption. Since January, it has controlled approximately $13 billion in Venezuelan oil revenues with virtually no transparency. The Treasury Department suspended anti-money-laundering enforcement for Venezuelan transactions, opening pathways for corrupt dealings. Purchasing Venezuelan gold from mines controlled by criminal cartels, ostensibly for Trump-branded coins, exemplifies how the administration blurs personal enrichment and governance. Domestically, the administration dismantles anti-corruption protections. The SEC proposes revoking the "pay-to-play" rule—decades-old protection against investment advisers purchasing government contracts through campaign contributions. Rescinding this without explanation reveals commitment to legalizing corruption. No-bid contracts reward political allies with stunning disregard for competitive bidding. A $13 million no-bid contract to repaint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at 20 percent profit epitomizes this shamelessness. The administration awarded $6.8 billion in no-bid contracts for eleven polar icebreakers—more than experts recommend—with placement apparently influenced by golf outings with foreign leaders. Federal contract dollars to American small businesses have fallen 19 percent since Trump took office, shortchanging legitimate enterprises by more than $47 billion while billionaire-connected firms cash in. This is plunder, not governance. Congress must act decisively with investigations, subpoenas, and legislation restoring ethical guardrails and transparency to federal contracting.