<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A watchdog group filed a lawsuit on October 14, 2026, challenging Jared Kushner's ability to serve in a diplomatic role under President Donald Trump.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Kushner, who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, has participated in diplomatic negotiations regarding Iran, Ukraine, and Gaza, working alongside senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff. He is currently a private citizen performing these duties on a volunteer basis.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) initiated the lawsuit, claiming that Kushner is violating the law by acting in a diplomatic capacity without Senate confirmation or financial disclosures. The group raised concerns about potential financial conflicts of interest due to Kushner's position as CEO of Affinity Partners and urged the court to prevent him from continuing his diplomatic activities while also compelling him to file financial disclosures, citing the Constitution’s appointments clause and the Ethics in Government Act.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">CREW President Donald Sherman stated, “The president’s son-in-law is currently acting with the authority of the United States government, shaping the most serious foreign policy and national security issues facing our nation, and yet, he has not complied with legal requirements to meaningfully assure the public of his competence and fitness, and that he’s putting America’s interests before his private interests.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The lawsuit argues that if Kushner is a private citizen, his exercise of government power would violate the private non-delegation doctrine, which prohibits the delegation of government power to private entities. This claim reflects criticisms raised by some Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Robert Garcia (D-CA).</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Kushner has defended his connections in the private sector, stating that they have enabled the U.S. to gain leverage in negotiations. He recently published a response to allegations of conflicts of interest, asserting that “serious allegations should be supported by specific facts, not generalized theories from unnamed sources.” In a CBS interview last October, he remarked that what some refer to as conflicts of interest are viewed by him and his associates as experience and trusted relationships.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Kushner’s legal team characterized the lawsuit as “without merit,” asserting that the plaintiffs lack standing to bring it. Attorney Chad Mizelle stated, “Both outside ethics counsel and government ethics attorneys have reviewed Jared Kushner’s volunteer government service and confirmed that his arrangements comply with applicable ethics requirements.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Trump administration also criticized the lawsuit, with a White House official stating that the use of private envoys for diplomatic purposes is a longstanding presidential practice. The official added, “CREW is an unserious, Trump-deranged organization that has been attacking President Trump, his family, and his administration since the first term. Jared Kushner is a proven dealmaker” with a successful track record.</p>