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Two Democratic lawmakers have called on the White House to provide answers about Jared Kushner’s efforts to raise billions from Middle Eastern governments while playing a key role in US diplomacy.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, Jared Kushner (the son-in-law of President Trump) is a private equity investor who runs Affinity Partners, a firm he founded after leaving government in 2021. The company focuses on investing in sectors like technology, infrastructure, and real estate, with a particular emphasis on opportunities tied to global growth markets, including the Middle East. Kushner raises money for the firm by securing commitments from large institutional investors (especially sovereign wealth funds such as those from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates), which pool billions of dollars to be managed and invested by Affinity. In return, the firm earns fees based on how much money it manages and how well its investments perform, a standard model in private equity.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Robert Garcia sent letters to both the White House and Kushner’s firm, Affinity Partners, laying out what they described as “serious concerns” about the overlap between his private business activities and his role in US foreign policy. In their letter, they questioned whether Kushner is being allowed to leverage his proximity to President Trump and his influence in diplomatic negotiations to benefit his firm financially, particularly as he seeks investment from foreign governments.

The lawmakers’ core concern centers on potential conflicts of interest. They argue that Kushner is operating in two powerful spheres at once (privately raising billions from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds while also helping guide US policy and negotiations in the same region). According to the letter, this dual role creates a risk that foreign governments could gain influence by investing in his firm, or that Kushner could shape US policy in ways that align with his business interests.

They also raised national security concerns, warning that such entanglements could make Kushner vulnerable to foreign influence or pressure. As part of their inquiry, Garcia and Wyden are seeking detailed information about how Kushner’s activities are being managed. They asked the White House to explain what ethical guardrails (if any) are in place to separate his advisory role from his private business dealings. In a separate request to Affinity Partners, they demanded a full accounting of Kushner’s travel and business activities abroad since the start of Trump’s second term, along with a clear explanation of how the firm ensures no overlap between fundraising and government-related work.

As of now, the White House and Jared Kushner’s firm have not responded to the letter.