U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz demands Sen. Blumenthal preserve documents

Aaron Reitz, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas, sent a letter to Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Wednesday demanding he preserve all documents related to his investigation into donors funding President Donald Trump's White House ballroom project. The letter alleges that Blumenthal is threatening citizens by associating with public officials and cites 18 U.S.C. statutes 241 and 242 regarding the deprivation of constitutional rights, warning of significant legal consequences if he does not comply. Reitz characterized the inquiry as an abuse of power intended to suppress philanthropic activities in Washington D.C., while Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter stated that the First Amendment prohibits Congress from infringing on speech and association rights.