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Appeals judges, two named by Trump, doubt DOJ bid to hold 20,000 California ballots Lula wins fourth term in Brazil over Trump ally Bolsonaro, but US mineral deals continue AARP survey: caregiver costs could sway voters 50 and older in 43 House districts Senate Democrats reportedly ask firms in Trump's Russian diesel deal to keep records Democrats and watchdogs plan tens of thousands of poll monitors against DOJ's 1,000 Trump says he'll soon choose between an Iran deal and a strike, as oil stays high Kennedy has named no new vaccine panel members, leaving new shots without coverage rules Two Catholic bishops say White House exploited their Oval Office prayer with Trump On tape: When opponents use lies, fear, and division, they may even target your name or faith. On tape: When questioned about his allegiance, Mike Rogers denied any ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Appeals judges, two named by Trump, doubt DOJ bid to hold 20,000 California ballots Lula wins fourth term in Brazil over Trump ally Bolsonaro, but US mineral deals continue AARP survey: caregiver costs could sway voters 50 and older in 43 House districts Senate Democrats reportedly ask firms in Trump's Russian diesel deal to keep records Democrats and watchdogs plan tens of thousands of poll monitors against DOJ's 1,000 Trump says he'll soon choose between an Iran deal and a strike, as oil stays high Kennedy has named no new vaccine panel members, leaving new shots without coverage rules Two Catholic bishops say White House exploited their Oval Office prayer with Trump On tape: When opponents use lies, fear, and division, they may even target your name or faith. On tape: When questioned about his allegiance, Mike Rogers denied any ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Corruption & Accountability · Report · File No. 261026-314

Senate Democrats reportedly ask firms in Trump's Russian diesel deal to keep records

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has asked companies tied to the Russian diesel deal to preserve documents, according to a report relayed by a Russian outlet. Democrats see it as a preview of oversight if they win Congress.

By the Investigations Desk · · 2 min read

Every quote in this story (2) was matched word for word against its source. How we work

Jeanne Shaheen
Jeanne Shaheen. Photo: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio, John Klemmer, Public domain

Senate Democrats are laying groundwork for an investigation of President Donald Trump's deal to allow purchases of Russian diesel fuel. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has asked the companies involved to preserve all documents ahead of a possible congressional inquiry, according to a summary of a Washington Post report dated Oct. 22 4.

We could not confirm the reported details about banks and ports. The summary we read does not name the companies 4. We could not load the original reporting on this development, and the Washington Post page would not open for us.

An aide to a Democratic senator said the probe could show how the party plans to use its oversight powers if it wins a majority in Congress in the midterm elections 4. Election Day is Nov. 3.

What the deal is

Trump announced the deal on Oct. 9 on social media. He said it would ease high energy prices for Americans 2. Democratic senators said the move lifts sanctions on Russian diesel sales globally under Treasury's General License 135, and that it lets the world buy Russian diesel for six months 3.

From Channel GOPTrump on the Alaska ballot and the DOJ suitDonald Trump · 204 plays · captioned, with the source named

Trump said Russia would send more than 300,000 tons of diesel, then 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons "immediately thereafter." A later 3 million tons would depend on the condition of Russian refineries 1. A Russian deputy prime minister said on Oct. 23 that the first three tankers were heading toward the U.S. East Coast 4.

Bipartisan pushback

Critics say the deal conflicts with a 2022 law that bars Russian oil imports unless the president certifies that Russia has withdrawn from Ukraine and meets other conditions. That is the critics' contention and has not been ruled on by a court 2. Energy experts told Roll Call the imports would have little effect on U.S. fuel supply but could deliver billions of dollars to the Russian government 2.

On Oct. 13, six Democratic and six Republican senators sent Trump a letter asking him to withdraw from the deal 12. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said there is a legitimate case that the president is not following the law 5. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican, vowed to file bipartisan legislation to block Russian oil purchases and to force a House vote 2.

Jeanne Shaheen
The President must end his war with Iran instead of funding Russia's war machine.
Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democrat-New Hampshire (joint statement with Sens. Schumer and Warren)3

Trump has brushed off the concerns. Asked about them, he said "Nobody's telling me anything," and argued the diesel is for the world market because global prices were high 1. Republican leaders defended him. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said Trump is balancing efforts to end Putin's war with lowering prices 2.

What happens next

A preservation request is not a subpoena, which is a legal order to produce records. Reports so far describe no subpoenas or hearings 4. Democrats would need to win a chamber to issue them.

That matters because Americans are paying high fuel prices while the deal's benefits are in dispute. The records could show who handled the shipments and who was paid.

The Record

  1. Trump announces the Russian diesel deal; Democratic senators say Treasury's General License 135 allows global purchases for six months 23.
  2. Twelve senators, six from each party, send Trump a letter asking him to rescind the deal 12.
  3. The Washington Post reports Senate Democrats plan to investigate companies involved, and the Foreign Relations Committee has asked them to preserve records 4.

Sources

  1. NPR via WUNC, “Bipartisan group of senators call on Trump to rescind Russian diesel deal” (2026-10-13). wunc.org/2026-10-13/bipartisan-group-of-senators-call-on-tru
  2. Roll Call, “Bipartisan chorus to Trump: Undo Russian diesel deal” (2026-10-13). rollcall.com/2026/10/13/bipartisan-chorus-to-trump-undo-russ
  3. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Democrats), “Shaheen, Schumer, Warren slam President Trump's disastrous diesel deal with Putin” (2026-10-09). foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/shaheen-schumer-warren-
  4. Izvestia (English), citing The Washington Post, “Democrats Want to Probe U.S. Companies linked to Diesel deal” (2026-10-23). iz.ru/en/node/2189997
  5. CBS affiliate (CBS12), “Republican, Democratic senators call on Trump to end diesel deal with Russia” (2026-10-12). cbs12.com/news/nation-world/republican-democratic-senators-c

Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.

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