Foreign Policy

Mueller is Investigating Jared’s Failed Deal With Qatar

Written by SK Ashby

This seemed inevitable after yesterday's news.

NBC News reports that special prosecutor Robert Mueller is investigating whether Jared Kushner's foreign business interests have influenced the foreign policy of the Trump administration. That reportedly includes Jared's failed attempt to secure loans from Qatari businessmen before the nation was blockaded with support from Trump.

And here's a stunning detail: Qatar is reportedly withholding evidence from Mueller.

As part of the scrutiny of Kushner's discussions with Turks, federal investigators have reached out to Turkish nationals for information on Kushner through the FBI's legal attache office in Ankara, according to two people familiar with the matter. Separately, Qatari government officials visiting the U.S. in late January and early February considered turning over to Mueller what they believe is evidence of efforts by their country's Persian Gulf neighbors in coordination with Kushner to hurt their country, four people familiar with the matter said. The Qatari officials decided against cooperating with Mueller for now out of fear it would further strain the country's relations with the White House, these people said.

If it's true that Qatari officials are withholding evidence out of fear that turning it over would anger Trump, I believe that in itself would be proof that Jared's interests have compromised our foreign policy and national security.

At the very least, it says a lot that they even have evidence they can withhold from the Justice Department. At a fundamental level, that means they have material that could be used to blackmail a member of president's family who works in the White House. Making it known that they possess evidence they're withholding may itself be an attempt to blackmail Kushner or Trump.

The idea that Jared advised or convinced Trump to support Saudi Arabia's blockade of Qatar because they wouldn't bail out his 666 5th Avenue tower project looks mighty plausible at the moment.

Who knows what else Jared has pitched to Trump for personal reasons?