A group of nine House Republicans is demanding an investigation into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to the United States, questioning whether the trip was aimed at supporting Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the November elections.
Led by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas), the lawmakers have sent a request to the Justice and Defense departments. They want to determine if Zelensky’s visit to Pennsylvania earlier this week was “politically motivated” and funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, potentially violating federal laws.
Concerns were raised after Zelensky made comments suggesting that a Trump-Vance administration could result in “global conflict.” This led Republican lawmakers to criticize his remarks as a “stump speech” for Harris.
In their letter, the lawmakers expressed serious concerns that the visit may violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while on duty or using government resources for such purposes. They noted that Zelensky was transported to Pennsylvania on a U.S. military aircraft and received Secret Service protection during his visit to an ammunition plant in Scranton, both of which could involve taxpayer funds.
If these claims are accurate, the lawmakers argue that taxpayer resources were misused for a politically significant visit rather than for national security. Gooden stated, "Using American taxpayer dollars to fund what was clearly a campaign-style event for the Democrats is unacceptable and likely illegal." He emphasized the need for a thorough explanation and accountability regarding the potential politicization of foreign diplomacy.
The letter specifically requests a detailed account of the military aircraft and Secret Service resources used during Zelensky’s visit, including justification for these actions and how they align with U.S. national interests. The lawmakers also want to know about other uses of taxpayer funds related to the visit and whether there was any coordination between Zelensky’s trip and political campaigns, especially since only Democratic officials attended the Pennsylvania event.
Accompanying Zelensky were Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Bob Casey, and Representative Matt Cartwright, raising further questions about the political nature of the visit. The letter also inquires if any Republican officials from Pennsylvania were invited to attend.
The demand for an investigation follows comments from Zelensky, who criticized vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance as “too radical” and expressed doubts about former President Donald Trump’s ability to manage the ongoing war in Ukraine. Republicans argue that Zelensky's remarks could constitute foreign election interference, stating, “Utilizing taxpayer dollars to parade a foreign leader around, who then attacks a major party ticket days before a presidential election, is textbook election interference.”
The letter was co-signed by eight other Republicans, including Reps. Ralph Norman, Clay Higgins, Mary Miller, Michael Cloud, Harriet Hageman, Andy Biggs, Dan Bishop, and Eric Burlison.
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