Jared Kushner faces lawsuit seeking removal from envoy role

A government watchdog has filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Jared Kushner from his position as special envoy for the Trump administration. The complaint, filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), alleges that Kushner is operating in violation of the Constitution’s Appointments Clause and the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

CREW argues that Kushner has avoided the Senate approval and financial disclosure requirements mandatory for officials of his level. The lawsuit follows reports of potential conflicts of interest involving Kushner’s private equity firm, Affinity Partners, and Middle Eastern parties with whom he negotiates as a White House representative. Specifically, reports indicated that Affinity Partners holds a significant stake in a Tel Aviv-based company with interests in arms manufacturers.