- United States
- Ohio
- Letter
Demand a full investigation into the $620 million Pentagon loan awarded to Vulcan Elements — a company in which Donald Trump Jr.'s venture firm, 1789 Capital, holds an undisclosed stake. This deal has corruption written all over it, and your constituents deserve answers.
ProPublica found that Peter Navarro, White House senior counselor and close personal friend of Trump Jr., was the only top White House aide to personally initiate a loan request among dozens of companies under consideration. Pentagon staff were ordered to expedite the deal in weeks rather than the typical many months. One official put it plainly: "The call came from the White House: We have to get this done." Vulcan's valuation then jumped from roughly $200 million to $2 billion overnight. Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, called it exactly what it is: "This is our money they're spending. This is corruption we pay for."
The public has a right to know how a company with fewer than 50 employees and under $10 million in prior funding leapfrogged every other applicant for a $620 million government loan — right after Trump Jr.'s firm bought in. Subpoena the relevant communications, hold hearings, and make the full selection process public.