WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, America First Legal (AFL) opened an investigation into Qatar’s U.S. influence operations, filing requests for records with the Departments of State, Energy, and Education, and with the Central Intelligence Agency. Reportedly, the FBI is investigating Qatar’s clandestine use of former U.S. military and intelligence officials to circumvent U.S. laws and influence U.S. policy. Among other things, a 2020 government investigation shows that Qatar has spent billions of dollars to influence and control U.S. colleges and universities.
Statement from America First Legal Senior Counselor and Director of Oversight Reed D. Rubinstein:
“Qatari dark money funds former U.S. military and intelligence officials, prominent law firms, think tanks, and key American universities. AFL intends to aggressively pursue the facts and shed light on this significant national security threat. But it is critical that Congress takes notice, steps up, and begins investigating both Qatar’s influence operations and its American agents and enablers,” said Reed D. Rubinstein.
