Democrats launch probe into organization leading White House efforts to celebrate nation's 250th birthday

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

02/12/26 3:31 PM ET


A handful of Democratic senators on Wednesday launched a probe into a private group that is co-leading America's 250th anniversary celebration. The Freedom 250 group is working alongside the America250 commission, which was congressionally authorized more than a decade ago to plan a nonpartisan, civic-focused commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.

"Recent reporting indicates that Freedom 250 is soliciting large private donations while offering donors exclusive access and other benefits tied to the President," Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Adam Schiff (Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Gary Peters (Mich.) wrote in their letter to Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff.

"These reports raise serious questions about transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and whether access to the Administration's official or quasi-official activities is being conditioned on or provided in exchange for financial contributions," they added.

Senators say Meredith O'Rourke is spearheading donor relations for the Freedom 250 group and the White House ballroom renovation project, which is also being funded by private benefactors.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5735903-democratic-senators-probe-freedom-250/

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Link to Sen. Schiff PRESS RELEASE - NEWS: Senator Schiff, Colleagues Launch Probe into New Private Entity Offering Millionaire Trump Donors Access to White House, Semiquincentennial Events

Link to LETTER (inquiry) (PDF) - https://www.schiff.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Letter-from-Sen.-Schiff-Colleagues-to-WH-on-Freedom-250.pdf