1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

As your constituent, I urge you to support investigative hearings into credible allegations that donors seeking to fund America’s 250th birthday celebration were unknowingly steered into the bank account of a White House-backed parallel entity called Freedom 250. THE PUBLIC COMMISSION WAS SIDELINED In 2016, Congress created the bipartisan United States Semiquincentennial Commission, known as America250, to plan this once-in-a-generation milestone under statutory transparency rules. In late 2025, the White House stood up Freedom 250, a limited liability company (LLC), inside the National Park Foundation and staffed it with the President’s political allies, including senior 2024 campaign officials. It has since eclipsed the congressionally chartered body. A birthday that should have united every American, as the Bicentennial did in 1976, now appears to have been diverted from its public purpose and repurposed for one administration’s benefit. DONOR MONEY MAY HAVE BEEN MISDIRECTED On July 2, 2026, Committee Democrats released a 55-page interim report, “From Vanity to Insanity: How the White House Cheated the American People Out of Their 250th Birthday,” alleging that donors who intended to give to America250 were provided wire instructions containing Freedom 250’s bank routing and account numbers, redirecting contributions without the donors’ knowledge. If proven, this conduct could raise serious questions under federal wire fraud laws and laws governing charitable solicitations. Freedom 250 denies the allegations, so sworn testimony and document production are needed. Only hearings can establish the truth. PUBLIC FUNDS AND FOREIGN MONEY NEED ACCOUNTING Congress appropriated $150 million for the anniversary through the Department of the Interior. America250 has reportedly received $25 million, while federal grant records show at least $68 million flowed to the National Park Foundation, Freedom 250’s parent. Public reporting and watchdog requests place total federal funds tied to the operation at $79 million or more. Reporting also describes donor packages selling access to the President, including private receptions at $1 million and speaking roles at $2.5 million. Worse, the report alleges Freedom 250’s chief executive solicited foreign governments at Davos, and that United States ambassadors held overseas fundraising events, with no public accounting of what foreign money entered our national celebration. Only Congress can compel answers. I ask that you: (1) HEARINGS: Support bipartisan investigative hearings, with subpoena power, into Freedom 250’s creation, governance, fundraising practices, and use of federal funds. (2) IG INVESTIGATION: Request an Inspector General investigation into the Department of the Interior grants supporting Freedom 250. (3) FULL DISCLOSURE: Press for full public disclosure of all donors, foreign and domestic, and a complete accounting of every federal dollar involved. Thank you.