Ranking Member Raskin Escalates Probe of U.S. Trademark Office’s Involvement in Covering Up Trump’s “Board of Peace” Global Enrichment Scheme

After USPTO Director Fumbles Questions from Judiciary Democrats, Raskin Expands Investigation into Director Squires’ Abuse of the USPTO to Facilitate Trump’s Board of Peace “Slush Fund”

Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2026)—Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, wrote to the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) John Squires demanding information regarding the USPTO’s apparent willingness to violate federal law by shielding the ownership and financial structure of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, after failing to answer even the most basic questions during a recent congressional hearing.

 Earlier this year, the Department of State reportedly provided $1.25 billion in taxpayer funds—including $1 billion originally intended disaster assistance—to Trump’s so-called Board of Peace. According to public reporting and leaked documents, the Board appears to operate as a slush fund for President Trump and his allies. The lack of any oversight or public accountability gives Trump, the Board’s self-appointed “Chairman for Life,” unilateral control over billions of dollars from U.S. taxpayers and foreign governments.

 “I confess that, in the wake of your inability to answer the most basic questions about this baffling situation, your decision to personally apply to register the “Board of Peace” trademark, apparently on behalf of President Donald Trump, makes even less sense to me now than it did before your appearance. […] The basic questions remain: What is the Board of Peace, and why has the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) chosen to violate essential tenets of the Lanham Act and standard USPTO operating procedures to personally register its trademark in commerce?” wrote the Ranking Member.

 In February, the USPTO secured two trademark applications tied to the “Board of Peace”—one for the wordmark and another for its logo. When pressed by Judiciary Democrats during a hearing in March, Director Squires deflected by insisting the agency was merely acting as a temporary custodian of the trademarks for an entity that did not yet exist. Director Squires insisted the trademark would be “transferred to the entity once it is formed.” Yet, while the Administration has announced $1.25 billion in taxpayer funds would be paid to the Board of Peace, we have seen no evidence that the trademark has been transferred to any legal entity.

 Ranking Member Raskin sent a letter on March 18 demanding records and information regarding Director Squires’ unprecedented decision to file the trademarks. The inquiry sought clarity on critical questions of public interest, including the USPTO’s plans for ownership, examination, and enforcement. In an affront to congressional oversight, Director Squires refused to provide a substantive response.

 Ranking Member Raskin is demanding USPTO Director Squires produce records and information detailing the agency’s involvement with the Board of Peace and provide a full accounting for what appears to be a willful misapplication of federal law to legitimize and insulate Donald Trump’s illicit enrichment scheme.

Click here to read the letter.