Washington (AP) The lead attorney on Donald Trump’s transition team looked into claims that a former adviser to the president-elect took use of his close relationship with Trump to obtain money from those looking for positions or influence in the next administration.
According to a person familiar with the situation, the evaluation by attorney David Warrington suggested that Trump aides severely limit adviser Boris Epshteyn’s access to the president-elect. The individual discussed an internal issue while speaking on condition of anonymity.
As Trump seeks to solidify his government before taking office on January 20, the personnel drama focuses on the peculiar and frequently unorganized group of people surrounding him who helped create the turbulence of his first term. Some of these individuals are also involved in the transition to the second term.
Among them, Epshteyn is accused of requesting money from Trump’s Treasury Secretary nominee, Scott Bessent. Epshteyn allegedly opposed Bessent’s months-long campaign for the position since the hedge fund chief refused to provide him a sizable retainer.
A complaint from former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, who resigned in controversy but has indicated interest in entering Trump’s cabinet, was also reviewed. In a document he signed this week, Greitens described a conversation he had with Epshteyn on November 7 and claimed that his general demeanor and tone gave me the sense that he expected me to do business with him before he would support or recommend my appointment to the President. This made me feel anxious and under pressure.
Stephen Miller, a key aide in Donald Trump’s first term, and attorney Boris Epshteyn are among the crew of longtime friends, aides and new allies attending an election night watch party for Trump. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon; AP Illustration by Alex Connor)
Image courtesy of Alex Connor/Associated Press
Although Epshteyn isn’t charged with any crimes, the probe seems to be intended to undermine or discredit his significant position within Trump’s inner circle. After all, obtaining money for access to high-ranking government officials is the mainstay of Washington’s lobbying industry. For a long time, the president-elect has been angry with people who he believes are taking advantage of him.
According to Trump communications director Steven Cheung, a thorough examination of the campaign’s consulting agreements has been carried out and finished, including those pertaining to Boris, among others, as is customary. As a team, we are currently working to support President Trump in his efforts to Make America Great Again.
Such a review, according to veterans of previous presidential campaigns and transitions, was anything but typical. Cheung remained silent regarding Epshteyn’s future role.
After Trump left office in 2021, Epshteyn, who had previously held a mid-level position in his first White House, became a pivotal figure in his life. He was one of the architects of Trump s legal team and strategy as the former president faced an array of criminal and civil threats after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Epshteyn has entered a not guilty plea to state charges in Arizona pertaining to purported attempts by Trump supporters to sabotage that election. Despite being Trump’s senior adviser and counsel, he was not anticipated to play a part in the incoming administration prior to the review.
I am honored to work for President Trump and with his team, Epshteyn said in a statement. These fake claims are false and defamatory and will not distract us from Making America Great Again.
Eric Trump, the president-elect s son who went to college with Epshteyn, told Fox News that if the reported allegations were true, his old friend might not be around the campaign much longer.
Listen, I have known Boris for years, and I have never known him to be anything but a good human being, Eric Trump said Monday. So, that said, I will tell you, my father s been incredibly clear. You do not, you do not do that under any circumstance. And, believe me, there will be repercussions if somebody was.
The investigation into Epshteyn was first reported by the conservative website Just the News.
I suppose every President has people around them who try to make money off them on the outside. It s a shame but it happens, Trump told the website. But no one working for me in any capacity should be looking to make money. They should only be here to Make America Great Again.
During the 2022 midterms, some in Trump s orbit also represented candidates seeking his endorsement, leading to accusations that aides were profiting off their proximity to the former president.
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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
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