One Of Trump's Newest Appointees Is Still A Lobbyist Earning Hundreds Of Thousands From Saudi Arabia

Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Republican lobbyist Richard Hohlt, who was recently appointed to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships, is still a registered agent of Saudi Arabia and has earned roughly $430,000 from the government's foreign ministry since January, the Center for Public Integrity reported on Thursday. According to disclosures filed with the Department of Justice, Hohlt has been giving the Saudi government "advice on legislative and public affairs strategies." Hohlt's appointment appears to contrast with President Trump's earlier criticisms of lobbyists' influence on presidential administrations and his promises to "drain the swamp." Shortly after taking office, Trump implemented a lifetime ban on administration officials lobbying the US on behalf of foreign governments.