Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 5/2/2025-5/9/2025
Combatting Trump’s Crypto Corruption
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), opened a preliminary inquiry into the $TRUMP cryptocurrency, World Liberty Financial Inc. (WLFI), and other associated business ventures following recent reporting that Trump-connected cryptocurrency firms may be enabling the violation of government ethics requirements, facilitating financial transactions with foreign nationals under federal prosecution, taking investments from foreign governments, and potentially violating federal laws.
In a letter sent to Fight Fight Fight LLC – the company that launched President Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency, the $TRUMP “meme coin” – Blumenthal demanded answers about steps the company has taken to address conflicts of interest posed by the President’s ability to profit from the market value and activity of the token.
“President Trump’s financial entanglements to the $TRUMP coin, as well as the attempted use of the White House to host competitions to prop up the value of $TRUMP, represents an unprecedented, pay-to-play scheme to provide access to the Presidency to the highest bidder. Chillingly, $TRUMP allows, and even invites, anyone in the world, including foreign governments and unscrupulous individuals, to directly enrich the President, while hiding potential payoffs in the pseudonymity of the blockchain,” Blumenthal wrote in a letter to reported Fight Fight Fight developer, Bill Zanker.
Blumenthal is also seeking answers from Zach Witkoff, the co-founder of another Trump-connected cryptocurrency firm, WLFI. In a letter sent to Witkoff, Blumenthal requested information about how the President may be violating the law and using the immense power of the federal government to enrich the company, its foreign business partners, and others in the cryptocurrency industry, rather than look out for American economic and national interests.
“WLFI’s financial entanglements with the President, his family, and the Trump Administration present unprecedented conflicts of interest and national security risks, including potential violations of the foreign emoluments clause. President Trump has used the federal government to enrich cryptocurrency firms through the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and United States Digital Asset Stockpile, and used the White House to promote cryptocurrencies (including inviting you to the first ‘crypto summit’). Trump has also abandoned enforcement of securities and fraud cases against cryptocurrency firms, even pardoning the founders of BitMex, which was found guilty of money laundering. Finally, WLFI business partners and other cryptocurrency interests donated millions of dollars to the President’s inauguration fund,” Blumenthal wrote in a letter to Witkoff.
The full text of Blumenthal’s letter to Fight Fight Fight is available here. The full text of Blumenthal’s letter to WLFI is available here.
On Twitter/X, Blumenthal further slammed President Trump’s corrupt cryptocurrency venture.
“With his cryptocurrency schemes, Trump is putting a for sale sign in front of the White House. That’s why, as Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, I’m launching an inquiry into this brazen corruption whose scope & scale is staggering,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X with an accompanying video.
“More powerful evidence that Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures are nothing more than a fig leaf for pay offs from foreign nationals & foreign gov'ts. I've opened an inquiry through PSI into Trump’s crypto-backed plan to auction off access to the White House,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
Blumenthal joined CNN to discuss President Trump’s cryptocurrency enrichment schemes and their implications for our national security.
On the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
At a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee oversight hearing, Ranking Member Blumenthal took Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to task on his failure to be responsive and transparent to Congress regarding his cuts and planned firings of 83,000 VA employees.
Following Collins’ testimony, Blumenthal said: “You know I listened to you recite those problems you encountered [as VA Secretary]. Not a single one of them will be solved or addressed by slashing the VA workforce by 83,000 people. Those workers on the chopping block fails to address one single aspect of any of the problems you have brought to this Committee—or that you encountered.”
Blumenthal pressed Collins to provide specific information regarding decisions around his past firing of more than 2,400 VA employees: “Are you aware of the costs that will result from firing those VA workers in compensation that has to be paid to them, when they have been wrongfully terminated?” When Collins failed to provide a specific answer, Blumenthal quipped: “You don’t have a number for us, do you? Because you haven’t calculated what it will cost to fire those workers, and then reinstate them when the courts tell you, as they will, that they’ve been wrongfully terminated?”
Blumenthal concluded: “You know you’re running out the clock…You can fill the air with words, but what veterans deserve is action and accountability. We’ve asked for this information repeatedly. You’ve said you are firing 83,000 people. If you fire the people who have been hired in the last five years, you will be firing physicians, nurses, surgeons, counselors, workers who are front line. You cannot slash and trash the VA without eliminating those essential positions which provide access and availability of health care. It simply cannot be done. You may give us a lot of verbiage here – but you’re not giving us facts. And facts are essential to accountability. That’s why you’re supposed to be here. But you’re not giving us the facts that we need.”
A video of Blumenthal’s questioning can be found here.
With accompanying videos on Twitter/X, Blumenthal continued to slam Collins’s lack of answers during the hearing and the assault on the VA by the Trump Administration.
“At today’s hearing, VA Sec. Collins failed to answer my most basic questions. He can fill the words with air—but veterans deserve answers & accountability,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
“Sec. Collins recited the problems he’s encountered as VA Secretary—but not a single one of them will be solved or addressed by his plans to fire 83,000 VA employees. Our veterans deserve so much better than Collins’ lack of accountability & plans to dismantle VA,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
Blumenthal attended a press conference with a group of more than 50 veterans from all over the country. The press conference, entitled “Our VA is Not For Sale,” pushed back against the Trump Administration’s planned sweeping cuts to VA—including plans to cut more than 80,000 jobs.
“Proud to join veterans today to show Trump & his hacks that the VA is not for sale. Their approach to VA is slash & trash—putting it on the auction block & privatizing its services. Veterans deserve better & are making their voices heard,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
Blumenthal released a statement on President Trump’s nomination of a current Trump Administration senior political advisor to be VA Inspector General. Trump’s nominee—Cheryl Mason—currently serves as a senior advisor to VA Secretary Collins. Inspectors General, per law, are intended to be independent, non-partisan watchdogs focused on rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse.
“A Trump political acolyte like Cheryl Mason is exactly the wrong choice to be the VA Inspector General— a role requiring nonpartisan, independent oversight. This nomination is especially problematic because Ms. Mason has been point person in muzzling VA workers and directing them to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements. As Special Advisor to Secretary Collins, she’s playing a leading role in slashing the VA workforce by 83,000. Veterans deserve an Inspector General who will conduct investigations free of interference and collusion from Collins and the Trump Administration. Otherwise, we will be putting veterans at even greater risk of corruption and abuse of power. Unfortunately, placing a loyalist like Ms. Mason in this role is all part of their playbook - eliminating accountability and transparency so they can continue their partisan dismantling of VA and its dedicated workforce.”
Slamming the Trump Administration’s Assault on Education
Blumenthal spoke at a spotlight forum on the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) and the consequences for students, families, educators and schools across the country. One of the speakers at the forum was Diane Willcutts, Director of Education Advocacy LLC and constituent of Connecticut, who has worked for over two decades in Connecticut and Massachusetts helping families of children with disabilities navigate the education process.
“I want to talk about real-world consequences and the potential for helping students. The vision that really should animate our conversation about special education. I'll turn it over to you,” said Blumenthal.
“I love talking about my students. I will say I am so lucky I have the best job in the world. I get to help kids learn how to read. I get to help kids with big emotions manage to get an education. I get to help kids who have been out of school for long periods of time, get back into school. And if our educator preparation programs will get on board, we can ensure that every K-3 teacher, every special Ed teacher, every reading specialist has that certification and structured literacy so we can really move things forward,” said Willcuts
A video of Blumenthal’s full remarks and conversation with Wilcutts can be found here.
Blumenthal and Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon met with public health experts, teachers, and students to discuss the youth mental health crisis in Farmington during Mental Health Awareness Month. The Office of the Child Advocate reported in 2024 that youth suicide rates are “staggering” and the age of children dying by suicide in Connecticut is getting younger and younger. Last week, the Trump Administration announced it would cut $1 billion in Bipartisan Safer Communities school mental health grants that are used to hire more psychologists, counselors, and other mental health workers. Connecticut received over $8 million through this grant program.
“Our nation's students are facing a mental health crisis. As the Trump Administration guts school-based mental health funding, we must come together & fight for mental health resources—giving it the same priority as physical health & ensuring students have the support they need,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
On Twitter/X, Blumenthal further slammed the Trump Administration’s gutting of school-based mental health programs and highlighted the need for legislation to prevent tragedies.
“School-based mental health programs save lives. The Trump Administration must reverse these cuts now. At a time when students are facing a mental health crisis, we should be furthering ways to bolster mental health-not cutting funding for student support. We must also remain committed to legislation that enacts safeguards & works to prevent senseless tragedies—legislation like Ethan's Law, that ensures firearms are safely stored so those in crisis can’t access them easily,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
Blumenthal attended a press conference with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) to discuss the Trump Administration’s cuts to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, anti-gun violence legislation championed by the senators that used historic funding to create more mental health resources in schools.
“By cutting & cancelling funds necessary for community violence intervention, school based mental health, red flag programs—including here in CT—the Musk/Trump/Bondi team is making gun violence more rampant & America less safe. These programs work. They save lives,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X with an accompanying video.
Standing with Pratt & Whitney Workers
Blumenthal released a statement on the Pratt & Whitney International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) vote to strike.
“I stand with Machinists in fighting for basic workplace fairness— decent, well-deserved pay, pensions and job security. Workers need long term certainty in jobs and income to make the American dream real. Our state’s prosperity and progress depends on proper, fair treatment of workers, especially at Pratt where their products are critical to our national defense,” Blumenthal said.
Blumenthal joined the workers Pratt & Whitney at their strike line on Monday in East Hartford.
“Proud to join striking Pratt machinists in East Hartford—standing up for fair pay, pensions, job security & more. They’re among America’s most skilled & dedicated workers, making some of America’s most advanced aircraft engines & other aerospace defense products. They deserve Pratt’s respect—basic fairness,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
Blumenthal Bulletin
Blumenthal raised alarm with impact of Trump’s tariff plan and trade war on VA’s health care system.
Blumenthal demanded the Department of Justice reverse the cancellation of hundreds of public safety grants.
Blumenthal released a statement celebrating the reinstatement of Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services grant to Connecticut state library.
Blumenthal called on the Trump Administration to reverse plans to eliminate the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Blumenthal introduced a bill to empower and protect VA health care workers and patients.
Blumenthal released a statement on the death of former Supreme Court Justice David Souter.
Blumenthal demanded unlawfully fired Commissioners at the Consumer Product Safety Commission be reinstated.
Blumenthal highlighted the news of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history.
Blumenthal slammed Ed Martin as the nominee for top D.C. federal prosecutor and highlighted his hope for candidate with expertise and judgement.
Blumenthal highlighted the need for his Russian Sanctions bill.
Blumenthal called out the Trump Administration’s cutting of World Trade Center Health Program staff as some critically ill 9/11 responders are left without care.
Blumenthal slammed President Trump’s extravagant spending on a military parade on his birthday.
Blumenthal criticized the Trump Administration’s proposal to reduce funding for the nation’s national parks, monuments, historic sites, seashores, and trails.
Blumenthal slammed President Trump for his contempt for basic Constitutional rights.
Blumenthal thanked public servants during Public Service Recognition Week.
Blumenthal attended the University of Bridgeport graduation ceremony.
Blumenthal attended the May Day rally in Stamford.
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