Watchdog group challenges legality of Kushner’s role in Trump administration

A watchdog group in a lawsuit on Wednesday challenged the legality of Jared Kushner’s role in his father-in-law’s administration.

“Primarily, this suit seeks to bar Kushner from occupying his government position and exercising government authority in violation of the Appointments Clause,” the lawsuit, from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), reads.

“If not for this violation, Kushner would have been required to comply with transparency and conflict-of-interest obligations, including the filing of public financial disclosures during the appointment process,” the suit continues.

The Appointments Clause lets the president appoint “principal officers” that the Senate later confirms and allows courts or departments to appoint “inferior officers” with Congress’s permission. Kushner has not been confirmed by the Senate for his current government work.

In February, Trump said he was going to make Kushner a special envoy for peace. The president’s son-in-law returned to Trump’s second term to take part in specific talks, working toward a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and crafting a Gaza peace plan for reconstruction and governance.

NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network, was later told by the White House that Kushner’s role was not official.

Kushner has worked with Steve Witkoff, a loyal Trump adviser whose role is special envoy for peace missions. Trump in February said Kushner would acquire the same title.

“We’re making Jared also envoy of peace. They’re both envoys of peace,” Trump said at the time.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment on the suit.