{"id":22675,"date":"2025-07-21T12:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T16:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/?p=22675"},"modified":"2025-07-31T12:28:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T16:28:16","slug":"wyden-merkley-introduce-legislation-targeting-the-use-of-presidential-libraries-as-tools-for-corruption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/es\/wyden-merkley-introduce-legislation-targeting-the-use-of-presidential-libraries-as-tools-for-corruption\/","title":{"rendered":"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Legislation Targeting The Use of Presidential Libraries as Tools for Corruption"},"content":{"rendered":"

Special interests seemingly seeking favors from Donald Trump have funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into his presidential library<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington DC<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., said today they have joined colleagues in introducing legislation that would close loopholes letting presidential libraries be used for corruption and bribery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From mega-merger approvals to the preservation of the U.S. military base in Qatar, giant corporations, at least one foreign government, and several other entities have promised donations collectively worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Donald Trump\u2019s future library while he has the power to affect those same entities\u2019 futures. The contributions, many in the form of settlements to Trump-filed lawsuits, raise serious ethics concerns about potential bribery and corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cDonald Trump can\u2019t be allowed to get away with accepting any shiny, lavish gift that comes his way from big corporations, foreign governments, and even anonymous donors,\u201d dijo Wyden.<\/strong> \u201cNo president should be allowed to accumulate more wealth by receiving the fanciest gifts and then self-classifying them as \u2018contributions\u2019 to presidential libraries. It\u2019s time to put a cap on contributions to hold corrupt, self-serving presidents like Trump accountable for making sketchy, back-alley deals.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe can\u2019t allow his presidential library to be yet another avenue for President Trump to sell access and influence to the highest bidders. Without action, we stamp a Congressional seal of approval on Trump\u2019s ability to use his future library to enrich himself and his family,\u201d dijo Merkley.<\/strong> \u201cWe need the Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act to close the corrupt loophole that allows for foreign governments and giant corporations to give unlimited library donations, protecting our \u2018We The People\u2019 republic.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Unlike presidential campaigns or inaugural committees, presidential libraries are subject to almost no restrictions on donations, which means contributions can come from foreign nationals, lobbyists, people seeking presidential pardons, and corporations with matters before federal agencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just weeks ago, Paramount settled Trump\u2019s seemingly meritless lawsuit for $16 million as it is  currently vying for the Trump administration\u2019s approval of its proposed mega-merger with Skydance. In May , Trump announced he would accept a free luxury jet \u2014 worth about $400 million \u2014 from the government of Qatar, and that the jet would be donated to his presidential library after he leaves office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n