'Am I investigating what?' Trump AG shuts down probe into Putin-linked oligarch’s Don Jr wedding gift

WASHINGTON, DC: Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed calls for a federal investigation into Russian businessman Umar Kremlev’s financial role in Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding celebrations, asking reporters, “Am I investigating what?” 

His comments came one day after ProPublica reported that Kremlev, a wealthy figure with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on expenses surrounding the May celebration in the Bahamas.

Blanche challenges calls for scrutiny

Blanche said President Donald Trump does not know Kremlev and suggested other members of the family do not know him either.

He acknowledged that Trump Jr. has described Kremlev as a close friend.

“When you say, ‘am I investigating?’ Am I investigating what?” Blanche told reporters at the White House. 

He also questioned the description of Kremlev as a friend of Putin, saying he did not know whether that characterization was accurate.

Blanche said he had no information about the Russian businessman beyond what had already been publicly discussed.

Trump Jr. and his wife, Bettina Trump, confirmed Kremlev’s involvement after the ProPublica report.

Bettina said Kremlev hosted two nights of celebrations following their wedding ceremony and described the spending as an “extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend.” 

The couple said there was no political motive behind the gesture.

House Democrats demand wedding records

The controversy has already moved into Congress. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, opened an investigation and requested documents from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Trump Jr.

Garcia is seeking communications involving Kremlev, Trump Jr. and the White House, along with financial records connected to the celebrations and information about foreign nationals who contributed to the event.

He has raised questions about possible foreign influence because Trump Jr. is involved in companies with Department of Defense contracts.

Kremlev heads the International Boxing Association, an organization that has faced governance and financing scrutiny and lost its Olympic recognition in 2023.

ProPublica reported that the wedding-related payments came through a Dubai entity affiliated with the organization.

Kremlev’s representatives said he and Trump Jr. have a friendly relationship and denied that political matters were discussed.

President Trump has also said he does not know Kremlev and was not present at the Bahamas celebrations.