Evaluate drone contracting for conflicts of interest with Trump-linked companies

As your constituent, I am concerned about reports that the Air Force entered drone-related contracts involving drone companies in ways that raise conflict-of-interest concerns due to connections to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. Defense procurement is governed by strict integrity and competition rules, because national security contracting must be insulated from favoritism and private financial influence. When credible conflict-of-interest questions arise, Congress should verify that procurement decisions were based solely on capability, cost, and mission requirements. As Richard Painter, a former chief White House ethics lawyer who served under President George W. Bush, stated: "These countries are under enormous pressure to buy from the sons of the president so he will do what they want...This is going to be the first family of a president to make a lot of money off war — a war he didn't get the consent of Congress for." If pressure is being applied to other countries to buy from Trump-linked companies, one can only imagine the pressure the Department of Defense is under to do the same. I request that Congress open oversight into the Air Force’s drone contract decision-making and contractor selection. Please require production of: (1) solicitation and award documents, including any sole-source justifications, (2) bid evaluation materials and cost analyses, (3) communications among procurement staff and decision-makers, (4) ethics disclosures, recusals, and waivers for any individuals with potential conflicts, and (5) subcontractor chain information and any relevant vendor affiliations. Please investigate the drone-related awards referenced in public reporting. In March 2026, Powerus Corporation, a newly-formed drone company, in a press release, described Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. as “notable investors” in their operation. In November 2024, Donald Trump, Jr. joined the advisory board of Unusual Machines, another drone maker that has already secured government contracts, according to press releases from that company. Additionally, 1789 Capital, Donald Trump Jr.’s investment firm, has taken a major stake in Anduril Industries, a defense company that specializes in unmanned combat machinery and that has also secured government contracts. One begins to wonder if the Iran war was started specifically to further enrich the Trump family. Specifically, I ask you to request testimony from contracting officers and program managers regarding how conflicts were identified and handled during the award process. If oversight identifies procurement rule violations or failures in conflict controls, I urge you to refer findings to the inspector general and pursue legislative reforms that strengthen ethical screening and accountability in defense contracting. Thank you for acting to protect the integrity of defense procurement and the trust of American taxpayers.