According to Yahoo, The United States Department of Justice is currently conducting an investigation into the handling of classified documents by former President Donald Trump after he left office. While the main focus of the investigation remains unclear, recent reports suggest that the DOJ has subpoenaed the Trump Organization for records related to LIV Golf and the former president’s financial ties to the Saudi-backed golf circuit.
LIV Golf, which is financially supported by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, held its inaugural season last year, with events hosted at two Trump-owned properties: Trump National Bedminster and Trump National Doral. These properties, along with Trump’s resort in Potomac Falls, Virginia, are set to host LIV Golf events again in 2023.
The DOJ’s subpoena of the Trump Organization regarding LIV Golf suggests that investigators are examining certain elements of the former president’s family business, although the connection between LIV Golf and the broader investigation remains unclear.
LIV Golf has faced criticism in the past for being used as a way for the Saudi Arabian government to “sportswash” its human rights record. The country has been accused of committing a range of human rights abuses, including torture, forced disappearances, and inhumane treatment of prisoners. Moreover, members of the royal family and Saudi government have been accused of involvement in the murder of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi.
Last year, Trump was criticized by families of 9/11 victims and survivors for hosting LIV Golf events just miles away from New York City. Some accused the former president of putting money over America, given his financial ties to the Saudi-backed golf circuit. Despite the criticism, Trump defended LIV Golf, stating that he had known the people behind it for a long time and that they had invested in many American companies.
“I’ve known these people for a long time in Saudi Arabia, they’ve been friends of mine for a long time,” explained Trump ahead of last year’s event at Trump National Bedminster. “They’ve invested in many American companies, they own big percentages of many, many American companies, and frankly what they’re doing for golf is so great.”
In addition to investigating the Trump Organization, the DOJ is reportedly also looking into potential antitrust violations against LIV Golf by the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, LIV Golf’s season is set to continue with events at Trump-owned properties throughout the year, including the upcoming event at Trump National Washington D.C. later this month.
