Former Obama deputy nationwide safety adviser Ben Rhodes stated President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner engaged in a “degree of corruption that we’ve simply by no means seen” when speaking about his agency’s latest investments abroad.
Rhodes stated that Kushner engaged in corruption when requested about The New York Occasions’s latest reporting that detailed that 99 p.c of his funding fund’s cash got here from overseas sources. The outlet additionally reported Kushner is engaged on creating accommodations within the Balkans, particularly in Serbia and Albania, and famous that the agency has taken cash from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“I imply, look, this isn’t refined corruption that we’re taking a look at,” Rhodes advised MSNBC’s Alex Wagner throughout his Wednesday look on “Alex Wagner Tonight.”
“This can be a man, Jared Kushner, who had no experience, no qualification by any means to be within the White Home whereas he was there. He made it his account to work within the Gulf Arab states. He principally helped lead the cover-up for [Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud]. Get him in from the chilly after the homicide of Jamal Khashoggi.”
Rhodes stated Kushner securing a $2 billion funding from Saudi Arabia six months after leaving the White Home is a approach for Salman to exert affect on U.S. overseas coverage if Trump returns to the Oval Workplace after the November election.
“Principally, what we are able to take from that funding is that in a second Trump time period, U.S. overseas coverage within the Center East and around the globe might be made solely with the pursuits of Mohammed bin Salman in thoughts,” Rhodes stated.
Kushner oversaw Center East coverage throughout his time within the Trump administration. The funding was scrutinized after the Occasions reported in 2022 that the Saudi sovereign’s advisory panel was in favor of giving funds to Kushner’s agency, arguing due to his “inexperience,” however the determination was reversed by a much bigger board headed by Salman.
“He selected to work on points within the Center East, and he selected to work with the Gulf Arab states, figuring out that the payout could be on the again finish,” Rhodes stated, pointing to the impeachment inquiry into President Biden by Home Republicans, who allege his son, Hunter, used entry to his father for revenue.
“And right here we now have the president’s son-in-law, who labored within the White Home — in contrast to Hunter Biden — who’s collected $2 billion, on the again finish of his service. Now he’s received his father-in-law working for president,” Rhodes stated. “Proper? This isn’t solely uncommon, that is unprecedented.”
Kushner defended himself and his agency’s motion concerning conflicts-of-interest allegations when requested by the Occasions.
“Following the legal guidelines and the principles is one thing we at all times do,” he advised the outlet. “Notion, I’ve discovered that from my time in politics, is essential. However I can’t management what everybody goes to jot down or say about me.”
Home Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) stated again in August that Kushner “crossed the road of ethics” by accepting a $2 billion funding.
“That is simply placing a price ticket on American overseas coverage,” Rhodes stated. “This can be a degree of corruption that we’ve simply by no means seen, and it’s hiding in plain sight.”
