Washington, DC -- Today, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, demanded answers from Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the Trump Administration’s efforts to funnel taxpayer dollars into the mysterious “Board of Peace,” an opaque pseudo-governmental organization never authorized by Congress and controlled by President Donald Trump in his personal capacity as self-designated “Chairman for Life.”

Earlier this year, Trump pledged $10 billion in taxpayer funds to the Board. The State Department has recently attempted to contribute $50 million but rescinded the transfer after congressional scrutiny raised basic questions the Department could not answer. Meanwhile, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates have transferred more than $100 million to the Board, with billions more pledged by other foreign governments, like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

“What is the Board of Peace? Is it a public or private entity? International or domestic? Is it registered as a corporation in the United States or abroad? What kind of corporation is it—for-profit or not-for-profit? Who controls the funds in its J.P. Morgan bank account? In what countries are those accounts located? Who will audit those funds and conduct oversight of the Board? What does President Trump intend to do with this vast slush fund while he is in office—or after he leaves? Can anyone assure Congress that billions of dollars from U.S. taxpayers and foreign governments will not be flowing into the pockets of President Trump, members of his family, corrupt and incompetent contractors or business partners, or political allies and foot soldiers of the President?” wrote the Ranking Members.

Despite the billions at stake, the Board has provided no public accounting of the money it receives or spends. The World Bank has established an account to facilitate contributions but disclaims oversight responsibility for how the money is ultimately used. Contributors can even choose to bypass the World Bank altogether and deposit money directly into the Board’s private J.P. Morgan accounts. Under the Board’s charter, Trump selects its Executive Board, can veto its decisions, serves as the final authority over disputes and can unilaterally issue directives.

Trump allies have also openly touted the Board’s potential for private profit. Jared Kushner has promoted “amazing investment opportunities” in Gaza and unveiled a redevelopment plan featuring 180 skyscrapers, deluxe hotels and luxury villas, while billionaire Board members have discussed billions in potential real estate value. The Administration has separately attempted to grant the Board international-organization immunity despite Congress never authorizing U.S. participation through a law or treaty.

“The fact that the Trump Administration, with your help, is attempting to transfer taxpayer dollars to the Board of Peace, an opaque organization primed for corruption, raises serious concerns that public funds could be once again misused by the President and his family and friends,” wrote the Ranking Members.

The Trump Administration’s involvement with the Board has already raised serious questions. Earlier this year, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires took the extraordinary step of filing trademark applications on the Board’s behalf, despite federal law prohibiting officials from submitting applications for another entity. After Judiciary Democrats demanded answers in three oversight letters, Squires abruptly abandoned the applications but has yet to explain who directed him to file them or provide the information Democrats requested.

Ranking Members Meeks and Raskin are demanding records and answers from Secretary Rubio about who manages the Board, who controls its funds and bank accounts, how its contracts and expenditures are approved, what oversight exists, information on the attempted $50 million State Department transfer, and the Administration’s legal authority for U.S. participation in the Board.
 
Click here to read the letter.

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