The United States Senate has confirmed real estate developer Charles Kushner , father-in-law of President Donald Trump 's daughter Ivanka, to serve as the US ambassador to France and the principality of Monaco.
Also Read | 'A strong advocate representing our country': Trump nominates Charles Kushner as US ambassador to France
Kushner, who was confirmed 51-45, is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. His son Jared is a former White House senior adviser married to Ivanka, the president's eldest daughter.
New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Kushner his nomination comes at a “critical time” because “our European allies are anxious.”
Shaheen also asked him about his criminal past. He replied he made a “very, very, very serious mistake" and paid a "very heavy price for that.”
In 2005, Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to 18 counts, including tax evasion and witness tampering. It was the highest sentence he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the US attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought. Christie called it “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he ever prosecuted as a US attorney.
In 2020, the final year of his first presidency, Trump pardoned his in-law, citing the latter's "more recent charitable work" as the reason he deserved "clemency."
"This record of reform and charity overshadows Mr. Kushner’s conviction and 2 year sentence for preparing false tax returns, witness retaliation, and making false statements," the White House had said at the time.
Also Read | 'A strong advocate representing our country': Trump nominates Charles Kushner as US ambassador to France
Kushner, who was confirmed 51-45, is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. His son Jared is a former White House senior adviser married to Ivanka, the president's eldest daughter.
New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Kushner his nomination comes at a “critical time” because “our European allies are anxious.”
Shaheen also asked him about his criminal past. He replied he made a “very, very, very serious mistake" and paid a "very heavy price for that.”
In 2005, Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to 18 counts, including tax evasion and witness tampering. It was the highest sentence he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the US attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought. Christie called it “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he ever prosecuted as a US attorney.
In 2020, the final year of his first presidency, Trump pardoned his in-law, citing the latter's "more recent charitable work" as the reason he deserved "clemency."
"This record of reform and charity overshadows Mr. Kushner’s conviction and 2 year sentence for preparing false tax returns, witness retaliation, and making false statements," the White House had said at the time.
You may also like
"Some progress has been made, ceasefire talks to begin immediately," says Trump after call with Putin
TMC: Not for govt to decide on delegates unilaterally
Parliamentary panel condemns online attacks against foreign secretary Vikram Misri
The Mommy Returns: Coming back from Maternity
Saudi Crown Prince's viral thank you gesture to Trump could soon be an emoji
