Investigate Corporate Pay-to-Play Schemes with Trump Administration

I am writing to urge you to support comprehensive investigations into potential pay-to-play schemes between corporations and the Trump administration. Recent reporting indicates that major corporations including Paramount, Hewlett-Packard, and Alphabet have actively courted President Trump's approval, raising serious questions about whether these companies are receiving favorable treatment in exchange for financial or political support. House Judiciary Committee Democrats have already begun sending letters to these companies, and Rep. Robert Garcia has indicated that the Oversight panel is preparing an investigative agenda focused on alleged corruption. This is exactly the kind of oversight Congress must conduct to protect the integrity of our government and ensure that policy decisions serve the public interest rather than corporate donors. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin has specifically highlighted potential Emoluments Clause violations, which prohibit federal officials from accepting payments or benefits from foreign or domestic sources without congressional approval. These constitutional protections exist precisely to prevent the kind of corruption that occurs when corporations can buy influence and favorable policy outcomes. The American people deserve to know whether companies are gaining competitive advantages, regulatory relief, or government contracts based on their willingness to financially benefit the President rather than on merit. I am particularly concerned about Sen. Ruben Gallego's warning that some companies may have pursued mergers with the expectation of political protection. If corporations believe they can avoid antitrust enforcement by currying favor with the administration, it undermines fair competition and harms consumers through higher prices and reduced choices. I urge you to support robust congressional investigations into these pay-to-play arrangements, demand full transparency from companies that have sought Trump's approval, and pursue legislative reforms to strengthen enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Our democracy depends on ensuring that government decisions are made in the public interest, not auctioned to the highest corporate bidder.