U.S. Democrats Prepare to Probe Trump's 'Russian Diesel Deal,' Take Aim at Epstein Allegations

Lawmakers Ask Major Banks, Ports to Preserve Related Records

With next month's midterm elections approaching, Democrats are preparing investigations into President Donald Trump's "Russian diesel deal" and allegations related to Jeffrey Epstein, a sex offender who exploited minors. If Democrats regain control of either chamber in the midterm elections, congressional investigations targeting the Trump Administration are increasingly likely to gather momentum.

According to Axios on October 26 (local time), Democratic members of the Senate and House of Representatives recently sent letters to major Wall Street banks and port authorities across the United States, asking them to preserve various records related to Russian diesel transactions. The move appears intended to review the legality of the Trump Administration's diesel deal with Russia and use the records in an investigation.

A tanker docked at the port of St. Petersburg, Russia, on the 22nd (local time). St. Petersburg, Russia = AFP-Yonhap.

The six financial institutions that received the letters are JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citi, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. Major ports in Texas, New York, and New Jersey were also among the recipients.

The lawmakers asked the institutions to preserve contracts, shipping documents, and vessel records related to Russian diesel transactions, as well as communications with suppliers, intermediaries, U.S. government officials, and others. They also warned that U.S. imports of Russian diesel raise serious legal questions and could be subject to congressional investigations and legal action.

The controversy erupted after President Trump announced on October 9 that he had reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel to the United States and global markets. Trump says he intends to stabilize energy prices ahead of the midterm elections, but Democrats and some Republican lawmakers have criticized the deal, citing serious national security concerns that it could provide funding to Russia as it wages war in Ukraine.

Democrats have also revived allegations about the relationship between President Trump and Epstein. Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee released a report on October 26 addressing Trump's relationship with Epstein and the Justice Department's handling of the related investigation, and called for the appointment of an independent special counsel.

According to The New York Times (NYT), Democratic House members alleged in the report released on October 26 that "President Trump was an active participant in Epstein's abuse of young women."

President Trump has repeatedly denied allegations that he was involved in or knew about Epstein's crimes. He has maintained that although the two had socialized in the past, he cut off contact with Epstein a long time ago.

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