ICYMI: Warren, Schiff, Colleagues Launch Probe into New Freedom 250 Group Offering Millionaire Trump Donors Access to White House, Semiquincentennial Events

ICYMI: Warren, Schiff, Colleagues Launch Probe into New Freedom 250 Group Offering Millionaire Trump Donors Access to White House, Semiquincentennial Events

Freedom 250 has reportedly been soliciting high-dollar donations in exchange for access to President Trump, official government events held for America's 250th birthday

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), along with five Senate colleagues, launched a probe into Freedom 250, a new private entity reportedly soliciting large private donations while offering donors exclusive access to President Donald Trump and events planned for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.

Other signers include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the Senators press the White House to produce a list of Freedom 250 donors, who were reportedly promised benefits including access to White House "VIP" events and ceremonial roles in the semiquincentennial. The lawmakers also seek an explanation as to how the group is involved in planning anniversary events and what ethical guidance the group received from the Office of Government Ethics or White House ethics officials.

"It is imperative that Congress and the public understand how decisions are made, who exercises control, and what guardrails exist to prevent inappropriate donor influence. Absent clear rules, this structure risks blurring the line between legitimate civic fundraising and pay-for-play access tied to official government functions, an all too familiar feature of the current Administration," wrote the senators.

The Senators raise concerns that the arrangement between the federal government and Freedom 250 could violate federal bribery, conflict of interest, and ethics laws. They also highlighted the administration's poor record of preserving the public trust when it comes to preferential access to donors, as recently illustrated by the solicitation of private donations by the same Trump-allied fundraiser for the White House ballroom construction project.

Senator Warren has repeatedly pressed for more details on fundraising efforts for President Donald Trump's gold-encrusted ballroom. This month, the senator published a response from the Trust for the National Mall that revealed new details about its role in fundraising efforts for the ballroom.

"These circumstances warrant careful scrutiny to ensure that preparations for the nation's semiquincentennial remain nonpartisan, transparent, and focused on the public interest. Furthermore, these concerns echo previously raised inquiries - which remain unanswered - regarding the financing of President Trump's White House ballroom construction project, which includes private donations from individuals and corporations whose business interests are directly impacted by the Administration and its decisions," wrote the senators.

###