Democrats in Washington are broadening their investigation into the circumstances surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impede the opening of the new Gordie Howe bridge linking Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.
California Representative Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, along with Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib, penned a letter to Matthew Moroun on Wednesday, demanding that the proprietor of the nearby Ambassador Bridge provide records of any interactions with the Trump administration.
Moroun, whose family has controlled the Ambassador Bridge for generations, reportedly had a meeting with a member of Trump’s cabinet shortly before the president announced on social media last week that he would obstruct the inauguration of the new bridge unless the U.S. received concessions from Canada, who funded the over $6 billion bridge entirely.
The Moroun family has consistently opposed the construction of the Gordie Howe bridge, as it is expected to impact their toll revenue. Matthew Moroun has been a significant Republican contributor in recent years, and the Ambassador Bridge company has allocated millions to a prominent lobbying firm in Washington with strong connections to Trump’s inner circle.
In their correspondence on Wednesday, Garcia and Tlaib focus on Moroun’s political donations, requesting documents related to any financial transactions he has conducted with the Trump campaign or the Republican party.
“It seems that you may have leveraged your influence as a donor to President Donald Trump to jeopardize American commerce in order to safeguard your company’s financial interests,” the legislators stated.
However, lacking Republican backing, the Democratic committee members cannot compel Moroun to cooperate, as they are the minority.
Garcia unveiled his committee’s inquiry and submitted a similar records inquiry to the Trump administration on Friday. On the same day, Michigan’s congressional delegation addressed the president, urging him to permit the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge as scheduled for this year, citing the anticipated economic advantages.
Moroun did not promptly respond to a request for comment.