U.S. Attorney Orders Blumenthal to Preserve Ballroom Probe Records

U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz directed Sen. Richard Blumenthal to preserve records related to his investigation of donors to the White House ballroom, accusing the Connecticut Democrat of threatening people for associating with President Donald Trump. Reitz’s Wednesday letter gives Blumenthal until November 18 at 6 p.m. Eastern to confirm he has preserved the materials and warns that noncompliance may lead to sanctions or other penalties.

Reitz, who leads the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, said Blumenthal had threatened citizens through his inquiry into private donors backing the ballroom project. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter supported Reitz’s position, saying the Justice Department would defend Americans’ speech and association rights.

The letter invokes federal civil rights laws and directs Blumenthal to preserve records related to the Senate investigation. It warns of possible sanctions, adverse-inference instructions or other penalties if he does not comply. The letter does not file charges or open a criminal case.

Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said he would continue examining...