Washington, D.C. — September 26, 2025 — Prominent Democratic senators are calling for federal investigations into former Trump administration officials over alleged conflicts of interest tied to multi-billion-dollar chip exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and cryptocurrency ventures. Lawmakers argue that the overlap between private financial interests and policy decisions could pose risks to U.S. national security, particularly in light of the UAE’s growing ties with China.
Senators Sound the Alarm
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Elissa Slotkin have formally requested inspectors general at the U.S. Commerce and State Departments to examine the transactions. Their appeal follows a New York Times report that linked the approval of U.S.-designed artificial intelligence chips for export to the UAE with the cryptocurrency investments of close Trump aides.
“The integrity of U.S. policy decisions must never be compromised by private gain,” Warren and Slotkin wrote. “If personal economic interests shaped these agreements, it would represent a dangerous breach of trust and a threat to national interests.”
The senators stressed that exporting sensitive technologies such as AI chips to foreign partners with close business relationships with China raises broader geopolitical concerns.
Spotlight on Witkoff and Sacks
At the center of the controversy is White House adviser Steven Witkoff, who reportedly pushed for UAE-bound chip exports. Simultaneously, his family business, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), received significant investments in cryptocurrency. According to estimates, the Witkoff family’s stake in WLFI could be worth nearly $800 million.
The dual roles — promoting high-stakes technology deals while benefiting from private ventures in the fast-growing digital asset market — have fueled accusations of conflict of interest.
David Sacks, another senior adviser in the Trump administration and a well-known venture capitalist, is also under scrutiny. Sacks reportedly played a role in the chip sale negotiations while maintaining private investment portfolios. Although he was granted an ethics waiver allowing him to participate, critics argue that the arrangement undermines transparency and accountability.
Lawmakers Push for Accountability
The White House has maintained that both Witkoff and Sacks are cooperating with ethics officials to ensure compliance with federal rules. Yet Democratic lawmakers say that reassurance is not enough.
Senator Chris Van Hollen, who serves on a committee overseeing Commerce Department funds, has pressed for greater transparency. “National security decisions cannot be clouded by personal financial interests. Public trust depends on drawing a clear line,” Van Hollen said.
Meanwhile, Democratic representatives are reviewing whether Sacks violated regulations governing “special government employees,” a category designed to prevent conflicts of interest among appointees who simultaneously pursue private business activities.
Broader Concerns Over Policy and Ethics
The investigation request points to wider anxieties over the Trump administration’s management of cryptocurrency regulations and export approvals for sensitive technologies. Lawmakers argue that when individuals with deep private-sector ties are also responsible for shaping national policy, it risks blurring the line between governance and self-interest.
Critics note that the UAE’s role as a buyer of U.S.-designed chips intersects with global tensions over technology and influence. Washington has long been cautious about Chinese access to advanced semiconductors, and the UAE’s close commercial links with Beijing raise fears that U.S. technologies could ultimately strengthen rivals.
A Test for Oversight Mechanisms
For Democrats, the probe is not only about past transactions but also about the credibility of U.S. oversight systems. By demanding investigations, senators hope to reinforce the principle that ethics rules exist to protect both national security and public trust.
“This is bigger than two individuals,” Warren said in a statement. “It’s about ensuring that government decisions — especially those involving sensitive technology exports — are made for the public good, not private enrichment.”
The inspectors general of the Commerce and State Departments have yet to comment on whether they will open formal inquiries. However, the mounting pressure from Congress is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Trump administration’s legacy on crypto regulation, export controls, and ethics compliance.
