On the Democrats’ Agenda: Investigations of Trump and His Family

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and football's governing body face the possibility of being subpoenaed by U.S. Democrats following their victory in the midterm elections. The Democrats now possess the power to compel testimony from FIFA and Infantino, as they previously evaded attempts to investigate the close ties between FIFA, Infantino, and former U.S. President Donald Trump. This development comes as Infantino prepares for a fourth term as FIFA president, though it is unlikely to impact the outcome of the election.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, who will chair the House Judiciary Committee, has vowed to prioritize investigating alleged "bribes, kickbacks and sweetheart deals" involving FIFA, Infantino, and Trump. The Maryland Democrat warned earlier this summer that the committee would have the necessary tools to obtain answers, expose corruption, and protect sports fans from fraudulent charges.

Raskin specifically questioned FIFA and Infantino about the controversial Fifa Peace Prize awarded to Trump last year and the leasing of unused office space in Trump Tower.

The controversy was further fueled when Infantino's plans to sell stakes in the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors, including Josh Kushner, Trump's son-in-law's brother, were revealed. In response, FIFA's leadership criticized the committee's inquiry as "woefully inadequate" and stated that they had not provided requested documents, such as financial records of payments to the Trump family, details of the Fifa Peace Prize, or the origins of Kushner-Infantino's World Cup scheme.

Infantino initially shelved the controversial World Cup sale plan after facing widespread backlash but has since apologized to FIFA's council for its cancellation. Despite the backlash, he remains set to stand unopposed for re-election as FIFA president in March. Uefa, FIFA's European governing body, has launched legal action against FIFA, its advisor JPMorgan, and Kushner, seeking materials that could result in a criminal mismanagement complaint to Swiss authorities. However, their efforts have thus far encountered resistance.