Ivanka Trump’s and Jared Kushner’s Roles in the Administration

Ivanka Trump used personal email for government business on hundreds of occasions in 2017, a discovery sparked by American Oversight's FOIA requests and litigation. The president’s family is not above the law, and Congress should investigate Ms. Trump’s likely violations of records rules and potential mishandling of classified information. With her and her husband, Jared Kushner, occupying positions of power and influence within the White House, it is important for the public to understand how they are carrying out their duties and whether they are obeying the law.

Background

Ivanka Trump’s and Jared Kushner’s roles in the administration are highly unusual and have raised concerns about the violation of federal nepotism rules, the risk of disclosing classified information, as well as the wide policy portfolios they have been given despite a lack of expertise or background in those issues.

In January 2017, as Jared Kushner received approval from the Office of Government Ethics to allow him to work in the White House, it was initially reported that Ivanka Trump would not take a formal role in the administration. After it was announced in late March 2017 that she would officially become a federal employee in the White House, American Oversight submitted FOIA requests seeking communications between Ivanka Trump and several federal agencies, eventually filing a lawsuit against the agencies for failure to respond.

In September 2017, documents released by American Oversight as well as independent news reports confirmed that both Kushner and Ivanka Trump had been using personal, private email accounts during their time working in the White House. Reports also surfaced that they had set up a private server, ijkfamily.com, in December 2016 in preparation for Kushner to join the White House.

On November 19, 2018, the Washington Post reported that Ivanka Trump used a personal account to send hundreds of emails to White House aides and cabinet officials — a fact White House officials only learned of because of American Oversight’s record requests — in probable violation of the Presidential Records Act, which requires that all official White House communications be preserved.

Following the Washington Post report, American Oversight sent a letter demanding that Congress investigate Ivanka Trump’s use of personal email and possible violations of the law, as well as risks to national security.

Still, Ivanka Trump and Kushner continue to push the boundaries of their influence in the Trump administration, from their reported unnecessary use of military transport to their potential involvement in the renewal of leases for a Chilean mining company owned by the family of their Washington, D.C. landlord. Kushner has led multiple delegations to the Middle East, including one in February 2019. He reportedly traveled with Jason Greenblatt, then the president’s special envoy for Middle East peace, aides, and State Department officials. Likewise, Ivanka Trump has made public displays of her political reach, including attending the 2019 G20 summit alongside elected leaders from all over the world.

Updates

American Oversight Sues Treasury, DFC for Records on Kushner and Mnuchin’s Middle East Trips

October 6, 2022
On Thursday, American Oversight sued the Treasury Department and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for records related to trips that former White House adviser Jared Kushner and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin took to the Middle East in late 2020 and early 2021.

Preguntas Abiertas Sobre los Aliados de Trump

November 4, 2020
Se ha dicho con verdad: "Dime con quién andas y te diré quien eres." En el caso del Presidente Donald Trump, un dicho que revela el círculo de corrupción que él ha creado a su alrededor. Veamos los funcionarios de la mayor confianza de Trump, empezando con los miembros de su gabinete y su familia. Así revelamos los tentáculos de la corrupción.

American Oversight’s Investigations into Trump’s Foreign Policy, and Five Key Takeaways from John Bolton’s Book

June 26, 2020
John Bolton's new book has brought renewed attention to a number of President Trump's corrupt foreign policy actions. Here's what we're still investigating.

News Roundup: One Firing, Multiple Scandals

May 22, 2020
Trump's firing of the State Department's inspector general has unearthed a series of concerning stories about the conduct of the very person who pressed for the firing — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

News Roundup: Miracle Drugs and Trump’s Alternate Reality

April 24, 2020
Trump has seemingly failed to learn that no amount of political spin can minimize his administration’s mismanaged pandemic response.

New Lawsuit Seeks State Department Records of Jared Kushner’s Middle East Trips

September 12, 2019
American Oversight sued the State Department for records related to Jared Kushner-led delegations and escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.

New Lawsuit in Investigation of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s Use of Military Transport

August 1, 2019
We want to know whether the president’s daughter and son-in-law habitually invited Steven Mnuchin on trips so that they could travel on Air Force planes.

News Roundup: Same Old Stories

March 22, 2019
By now, it should be clear that using private email and messaging apps for official government business is not allowed.

Wait, There’s More: News of Another Administration Official Using Personal Email

December 10, 2018
News reports indicate that Scott Pruitt used personal email for official business. American Oversight continues its investigation of improper administration email use.

American Oversight Sues Federal Agencies for Evidence of Jared Kushner Personal Email Use

November 21, 2018
American Oversight today sued six federal agencies to uncover the extent of Jared Kushner's use of personal email for official governmental business. The suit comes the same week as news broke that his wife, Ivanka Trump, used personal email to conduct White House business on hundreds of occasions in 2017 — which White House officials only discovered when a May 2017 lawsuit filed by American Oversight sparked an internal review. 

Watchdog Calls for Congressional Investigation of Ivanka Trump’s Private Email Server

November 20, 2018
Less than a day after the Washington Post published a report detailing Ivanka Trump's extensive use of personal email to conduct official government business, American Oversight called for a congressional investigation.

Ivanka Trump Email Investigation Sparked by American Oversight FOIAs

November 19, 2018
FOIA requests filed by American Oversight prompted the discovery by White House officials that Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Trump and a top adviser to the president, used personal email to communicate with federal agencies on hundreds of occasions, the Washington Post reported on November 19, 2018.

Ivanka Trump Continued Using Personal Account in White House

November 2, 2017
Emails obtained by American Oversight reveal that Ivanka Trump continued to use a personal account to send and receive emails related to government work even after joining the White House staff in late March.

Emails Show Ivanka Trump Used Personal Email Account at White House

September 25, 2017
Emails obtained by American Oversight via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request show that Ivanka Trump used a personal email address to conduct substantive government work as late as March 2017.

Watchdog Files Lawsuit to Obtain Ivanka Trump’s Emails

May 17, 2017
American Oversight today sued to obtain emails from the time period at the start of the Trump administration during which Ivanka Trump advised the president and offered input to executive agencies but refused to become a government employee subject to ethics rules.
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Related Documents

February 28, 2023

Treasury Communications During Secretary Mnuchin’s January 2021 Middle East Trip

Department of the Treasury
Agency Record
February 28, 2023

DFC Communications During Jared Kushner’s Middle East Trips

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Agency Record
July 27, 2022

FOIA to Treasury for Communications During Secretary Mnuchin’s January 2021 Middle East Trip

Department of the Treasury
FOIA Request
July 27, 2022

FOIA to DFC for Communications During Jared Kushner’s Middle East Trips

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
FOIA Request
August 21, 2020

No Records Response from GSA regarding Ivanka Trump’s use of personal email

General Services Administration
Agency Reply
August 5, 2020

No Records Response from DHS and FEMA Regarding Coronavirus Briefing Materials Prepared for Jared Kushner

Department of Homeland Security, DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency
Agency Reply
July 12, 2020

Treasury Records of Communications with Jared Kushner’s Personal Email Address

Department of the Treasury
Agency Record
June 4, 2020

HHS Coronavirus Briefing Materials Prepared for Jared Kushner

Department of Health and Human Services
Agency Record
April 23, 2020

FOIA to DHS Seeking Emails of Private Individuals Involved in Coronavirus Response

Department of Homeland Security
FOIA Request
April 23, 2020

FOIA to DOD Seeking Emails With and About Private Individuals Involved in Coronavirus Response

Department of Defense
FOIA Request
April 22, 2020

No Records Response from DOJ Regarding Kushner’s Private Email Use

Department of Justice
Agency Reply
April 21, 2020

No Records Response from ED Regarding Ivanka Trump’s Use of Personal Email

Department of Education
Agency Reply
January 7, 2020

Treasury Communications Regarding Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner

Department of the Treasury
Agency Record
December 20, 2019

State Records Regarding Communications Between the Trump Organization and Jared Kushner

Department of State
Agency Record
December 19, 2019

FOIA to DOJ Antitrust Seeking Records Reflecting Communications Between DOJ and Jared Kushner

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
November 12, 2019

NRR from DOD for Communications Sent to or Received by Any of Jared Kushner’s Non-Governmental Emails

Department of Defense
Agency Reply
November 8, 2019

DOJ Emails Between Select Appointees and Jared Kushner’s Non-Governmental Email Addresses

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September 23, 2019

FHFA Communications Regarding Kushner Companies

Federal Housing Finance Agency
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September 12, 2019

Complaint: American Oversight v. State – Jared Kushner’s Delegation to the Middle East

Department of State
Litigation
September 9, 2019

FOIA to State seeking communications between Ambassador Friedman and Selected White House Advisers Regarding Reps. Omar and Tlaib’s Visit to Israel

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FOIA Request
September 5, 2019

FOIA to Treasury for Records of Mnuchin Dinners with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner

Department of the Treasury
FOIA Request
August 30, 2019

USDA Communications with Law Firms Regarding Ivanka Trump’s Use of Personal Email For Official Government Business

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Agency Record
August 14, 2019

No Records Response from DHS Regarding Ivanka Trump Personal Email Use

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Agency Reply
August 1, 2019

Complaint: American Oversight v. Treasury – Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s Use of Military Transport

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Litigation
July 23, 2019

State Records Regarding Jared Kushner’s Personal Email Address

Department of State
Agency Record
July 19, 2019

No Records Response from VA Regarding Communications with Ivanka Trump’s Personal Email

Department of Veterans Affairs
Agency Reply
July 10, 2019

USTR Records Regarding a ‘Trade Messaging’ Meeting with Jared Kushner and Frank Luntz

White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
May 31, 2019

VA Memos Concerning Record Preservation Guidance

Department of Veterans Affairs
Agency Record
May 29, 2019

No Records Response from USTR Regarding Communications on WhatsApp Between Jared Kushner and Ambassador Lighthizer

White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Reply
May 1, 2019

FOIA to HUD Seeking WhatsApp Messages Between Jared Kushner and HUD Officials

Department of Housing and Urban Development
FOIA Request
May 1, 2019

FOIA to OMB Seeking WhatsApp Messages Between Jared Kushner and Mick Mulvaney

White House - Office of Management and Budget
FOIA Request
May 1, 2019

FOIA to State Seeking WhatsApp Messages Between Jared Kushner and State Officials

Department of State
FOIA Request
April 30, 2019

FOIA to DOI Office of the Solicitor Seeking Records Relating to Twin Metals’s Mining Leases

Department of the Interior
FOIA Request
April 18, 2019

FOIA to Treasury Seeking Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner Communications with Steve Mnuchin

FOIA Request
April 16, 2019

FOIA to State Seeking Communications Regarding the February 2019 Delegation to the Middle East

Department of State
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April 16, 2019

FOIA to State Seeking Communications Sent by State Officials During the February 2019 Delegation to the Middle East

Department of State
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April 16, 2019

FOIA to State Seeking Records Containing Trip Details Regarding the February 2019 Delegation to the Middle East

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April 2, 2019

State Department Records of Embassy Communications Referring to Jared Kushner or Trump Properties

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February 14, 2019

No Records Response from DOE Regarding Communications with Ivanka Trump and Law Firms

Agency Reply
January 10, 2019

No Records Response from DOD Regarding Ivanka Trump Use of Personal Email for Government Business

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Agency Reply
December 11, 2018

SBA Correspondence with Ivanka Trump

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Agency Record
November 21, 2018

Complaint: American Oversight v. DOD, HHS, DOJ, DHS, State, and Treasury – Jared Kushner Personal Email Use

Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of State, Department of the Treasury
Litigation
November 20, 2018

FOIA to NARA Regarding Ivanka Trump’s Use of Personal Email and the Presidential Records Act

National Archives and Records Administration
FOIA Request
November 20, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Regarding Ivanka Trump’s Use of Personal Email and American Oversight’s Lawsuit Production Schedule

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FOIA Request
November 20, 2018

FOIA to Multiple Agencies Seeking Communications Regarding Ivanka Trump’s Use of Personal Email

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FOIA Request
November 20, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Seeking Communications Regarding Ivanka Trump’s Use of Personal Email

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
November 20, 2018

FOIA to DOJ Regarding Ivanka Trump’s Use of Personal Email and American Oversight’s Lawsuit

Department of Justice
FOIA Request
November 20, 2018

Letter: Call for Congressional Investigation of Ivanka Trump Personal Email Use

Congress
June 5, 2018

FBI Response Regarding Request for Kushner’s Signature Pages

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Agency Reply
June 5, 2018

FBI Response Regarding Request for Kushner’s Most Recent SF-86

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June 5, 2018

FBI Response Regarding Request for Correspondence With Kushner’s SF 86

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May 30, 2018

Department of Education Emails with Ivanka Trump and Staff

Department of Education
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February 23, 2018

FOIA to DOJ/FBI Regarding Kushner Clearance

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FOIA Request
February 23, 2018

FOIA Seeking Kushner Security Clearance Signatures

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FOIA Request
February 23, 2018

FOIA to DOJ/FBI Seeking Kushner’s Most Recent SF-86

Department of Justice, DOJ - Federal Bureau of Investigation
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November 30, 2017

Commerce Department Ivanka Trump Emails

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November 7, 2017

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Agency Reply
November 2, 2017

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Agency Reply
October 31, 2017

Treasury Department Ivanka Trump Emails

Department of the Treasury
Agency Record
October 31, 2017

Labor Department Ivanka Trump Staff Emails

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Agency Record
September 26, 2017

FOIA to State Regarding Kushner Emails

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FOIA Request
September 26, 2017

FOIA to Treasury Regarding Kushner Emails

Department of the Treasury
FOIA Request
September 26, 2017

FOIA to OSTP Regarding Kushner Emails

White House - Office of Science and Technology Policy
FOIA Request
September 26, 2017

FOIA to Office of Management and Budget Regarding Kushner Emails

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September 26, 2017

FOIA to Health and Human Services Regarding Kushner Emails

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FOIA Request
September 26, 2017

FOIA to Department of Justice Regarding Kushner Emails

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FOIA Request
September 26, 2017

FOIA to Department of Defense Regarding Kushner Emails

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FOIA Request
September 26, 2017

FOIA to Department of Homeland Security Regarding Kushner Emails

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August 31, 2017

Labor Department Correspondence with Ivanka Trump Staff

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Agency Record
July 7, 2017

No Records Response From Commerce Regarding Ivanka Emails

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Agency Reply
June 8, 2017

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May 17, 2017

Complaint: American Oversight v. Department of Commerce et.al. – Ivanka Emails

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Litigation
May 11, 2017

FOIA Request to OPM Vetting for Ivanka Trump

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FOIA Request
March 31, 2017

FOIA Request to DOL Seeking Communications and Records of Meetings with Ivanka Trump

Department of Labor
FOIA Request
March 31, 2017

FOIA Request to Education Seeking Communications and Records of Meetings with Ivanka Trump

Department of Education
FOIA Request
March 31, 2017

FOIA Request to SBA Seeking Communications and Records of Meetings with Ivanka Trump

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FOIA Request
March 31, 2017

FOIA to Commerce Seeking Communications and Records of Meetings with Ivanka Trump

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FOIA Request
March 31, 2017

FOIA to Treasury Seeking Communications and Records of Meetings with Ivanka Trump

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