Congressional Democrats are investigating Donald Trump Jr. after an official friend of Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin helped bankroll the Trump scion’s lavish wedding celebrations in the Bahamas, lawmakers announced Tuesday, Sept. 15.
"Why is a Russian oligarch and friend of Vladimir Putin financially supporting the President's son?" U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, the Democratic leader of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wrote in a statement announcing the congressional probe. "What does Umar Kremlev expect in return for funding this three-day wedding in the Bahamas?"
Kremlev is a Russian oligarch whom Putin awarded the "Order of Friendship" in April. Donald Trump Jr.’s wife Bettina Trump called Kremlev a "dear friend" in a statement
confirming that he "generously hosted" two nights of the newlyweds’ festivities in May.
According to ProPublica, which first reported on the donation, Kremlev paid for "hundreds of thousands of dollars of wedding expenses," including renting out one of the private islands in the Bahamas where there was a reception and where guests stayed.
Bettina Trump slammed critics' accusations about the motivations for Kremlev’s donation.
"It’s unfortunate that something so personal and happy can be recast as something political or sinister simply because of who someone is or where they come from," Trump wrote in a post on social media featuring photos of the festivities. "Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda. And sometimes a wedding gift is simply a wedding gift."
Photos shared by the new Trump family member show at least one guest wearing gold-colored wings fixed to their back, female dancers dressed in sailor-themed outfits and the president’s son wearing a sailor cap.
Attorney General Todd Blanche, who recently broke with precedent by appearing at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, said the Justice Department would not investigate when asked during a news conference about the wedding festivities.
"The president doesn't know who this person is," Blanche said Sept. 15. "The president's son has said he's a very close friend."
Blanche added: "So am I investigating what?"
USA TODAY has reached out to the White House for further comment.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A Putin ally hosted Trump Jr.'s wedding weekend. Now Dems are investigating
