Shaheen and Tillis demand banks hold onto Trump diesel deal records

Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Thom Tillis want banks to keep their hands off a pile of paper that might explain how Russian diesel reached the US market.

A letter dated October 24 went to six major banks, including JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs. It also went to the port authorities in Texas and New York. The lawmakers want these entities to preserve contracts, shipping papers, vessel records, and any correspondence with suppliers, intermediaries, or US officials. They expect written confirmation by Wednesday, October 28.

This move sets the stage for a potential investigation into President Donald Trump's arrangements with Moscow. If Democrats take control of one or both chambers of Congress after the November 3 elections, the inquiry becomes a priority. The core question is whether the imports were legal and if they helped finance Russia's war against Ukraine.

The US Treasury Department has already ruled the arrangements legal. The White House has pushed back, claiming Democrats are focused on investigating Trump rather than governing. In October, Trump suspended enforcement of some sanctions and tariffs against Russia. He did this to clear the way for bringing Russian diesel to global markets.

On October 26, Reuters reported that Russian refineries started increasing diesel production after receiving export quotas. This timing aligns with the suspension of enforcement actions. The letter from Shaheen and Tillis signals that lawmakers intend to look closely at the financial and logistical trail if the political winds shift in their favor next month.