Congress is Allowing Trump to Exploit Trade for Personal Gain

Thank you for your response regarding President Trump’s announced 10% tariffs on European countries sending troops to Greenland. While you note that the tariffs were later rescinded after the World Economic Forum, I am deeply concerned about the broader implications of these actions. The repeated threat of tariffs and sudden reversals, particularly when accompanied by vague announcements of future “frameworks” or deals, raises serious questions about potential market manipulation. Such threats can move markets, affect commodity prices, and create financial opportunities that disproportionately benefit the president’s business associates and allies. This is especially troubling given reports that President Trump’s personal wealth increased by nearly $2 billion in a single year. This is not a trivial gain — it far exceeds the scrutiny applied when President Obama earned a few million dollars from book sales, which triggered immediate investigations and intense political scrutiny. Congress has a clear duty to investigate whether these tariff threats and policy fluctuations are being used to enrich private interests rather than serve the public. The appearance — and potential reality — of self-dealing undermines trust in our institutions and raises questions about violations of federal ethics and anti-manipulation statutes. Allowing such conduct to go unchecked sets a dangerous precedent, effectively permitting the use of presidential power for private financial gain. I urge you to clarify what steps you and your colleagues are taking to ensure that the president’s financial interests are not influencing U.S. trade policy. If Congress would scrutinize even minor financial gains by a previous president, why has there been no serious investigation into billions gained by the current president while using trade threats and announcements that can move global markets? Our system depends on robust oversight to prevent corruption, maintain fair markets, and preserve public trust. I expect you to take this seriously and to explain what investigations or safeguards you are pursuing to hold the president accountable.