Durbin Backs Senator Curtis’ Call For Senate Judiciary Committee Investigation Into Donald Trump Jr.

Durbin Backs Senator Curtis' Call For Senate Judiciary Committee Investigation Into Donald Trump Jr.

Durbin: "We have enough resources, staff, and talent on a bipartisan basis to call Donald Trump Jr. before the Committee for a deposition, to answer some basic questions about who paid for his wedding ceremony."

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, again backed Senator John Curtis' (R-UT) call for the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate the use of presidential family relationships for private financial benefit, preferential treatment, or access by domestic and foreign interests. Curtis' letter highlights the serious concerns over the lavish wedding reception provided to the President's son, Donald Trump Jr., by a Russian oligarch.

"[Senator John Curtis] sent a letter raising a question as to whether there has been a violation of ethical standards at the highest level of our government. Now, John showed real courage in doing this. As a Republican to say anything critical of the Trump Administration is a risk. But he's been a brave man, and he's a man of principle. What he called on is for Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and myself, as [the] Ranking Democratic Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to have an investigation and hearing [into] Donald Trump Jr.'s recent wedding, where he received lavish gifts from a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin. This sort of thing cannot be allowed to happen without some response from Congress. The Senate Judiciary Committee is the place to start," said Durbin.

"There are those who argue we only have a few months left in this year. Well, let me tell you something: we're not overworking ourselves during those few months. We have enough resources and staff and talent on a bipartisan basis to call Donald Trump Jr. before the Committee for a deposition to answer some basic questions about who paid for his wedding ceremony," Durbin continued.

"Now, in fairness, Senator Curtis also asked the same of Hunter Biden. To be fair to Hunter Biden, who has already responded by saying he's willing to appear wherever we wish, he has already been subject to a sworn deposition at length and has answered the questions that were propounded to him. But there's been no such effort made by the Trump family to explain the largesse of gifts being given to members of [the President's] family, not to mention the $1.4 billion the President was given in [crypto] income in his first year in the second term. These are legitimate questions about corruption," Durbin continued.

Durbin concluded, "There was a time when both parties would agree that it's unacceptable for this to happen, regardless of whether the origin is Democratic or Republican. That still applies. Senator Curtis is right. I stand by his request [for the] Senate Judiciary Committee [to] respond to this request for deposition and investigation. We may not be able to finish it this year, but shame on us if we won't even consider the issue, as timely as it is. It is important that this Senate functions to uphold the ethical standards of our government."

Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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