Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power
Inaugural Committee: $107 Million Raised, Federal Investigations Into Corruption
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan subpoenaed the inaugural committee in February 2019. Prosecutors subpoenaed records investigating potential coordination with foreign nationals and possible misuse of nonprofit funds. Tom Barrack, who chaired the fundraising effort, was indicted in July 2021 on charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent of the UAE, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. The indictment alleged Barrack had used his position in the Trump campaign and inaugural committee to influence U.S. policy and public statements in favor of the UAE. Barrack was acquitted at trial in November 2022. Prosecutors were reported in December 2018 to be examining whether Middle Eastern foreigners used straw donors to funnel money to the committee; no such finding has been made public.