Congressional scrutiny is mounting over Alina Habba’s $50 million contract with the family of a businessman pardoned by President Donald Trump. Two Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers about her role in securing the pardon of Julio Herrera Velutini.

In an October 27 letter, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Dave Min questioned Habba, now married Mildon about her financial arrangement with the family of Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini. Trump pardoned Herrera Velutini just two weeks after Habba began working for his family’s company.

The lawmakers are examining whether Habba used her relationship with Trump to influence the pardon.

The timing of the pardon raises questions.

  • Oct. 2025: Concord Partners established by Herrera Velutini’s daughter; Habba Mildon finalizes a four-year, $50 million deal while serving as U.S. Attorney in New Jersey
  • Jan. 1, 2026: She starts at Concord, while also serving as a senior adviser at the Justice Department
  • Jan. 15, 2026: Trump pardons Herrera Velutini
  • Oct. 27: Welch and Min write
  • Oct. 31: Trump publicly condemns the deal
  • Nov. 13: Her response is due

Habba secured a four-year, $50 million contract with Concord Partners, a company established by Herrera Velutini’s daughter in October 2025. She finalized the deal while serving as U.S. attorney in New Jersey.

Habba began working for Concord Partners on January 1, 2026. At the same time, she was serving as a senior adviser at the Justice Department.

On January 15, Trump granted Herrera Velutini a presidential pardon.

“Given these circumstances, we are seeking additional information to better understand the extent to which influence and access may have overridden the standard pardon review process,” Welch and Min wrote.

The lawmakers are asking whether Habba approached Trump about the pardon. They also want to know whether Herrera Velutini or anyone acting on his behalf requested her intervention.

Their questions extend beyond this single pardon. Welch and Min want details about any other clemency cases in which Habba may have been involved, including possible financial or political connections.

The congressional letter could mark the beginning of a broader examination of Habba’s activities.

With the November 3 midterm elections approaching, the political stakes are considerable. Should Democrats gain control of either chamber, they would have greater opportunities to pursue congressional oversight, including hearings and subpoenas.

Trump: totally obnoxious and outrageous

President Donald J. Trump speaks with members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, October 21, 2026, en route Joint Base Andrews for a campaign trip to Clemson, South Carolina. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

For Habba, the trouble does not end on Capitol Hill. Trump himself has now publicly condemned her $50 million arrangement.

“I thought it was terrible. I told her, I said, ‘I don’t want her paid.’ I thought we had somebody speak to the people that did it, and she used her relationship to do that,” Trump said on October 31.

“And it was far too much. You know, it’s one thing for a person to get paid legal fees, or whatever, she’s a lawyer,” he said. “I thought it was totally obnoxious and outrageous, and it’s not acceptable, not acceptable—at all,” Trump added.

The White House amplified the president’s remarks through its official Rapid Response account.

Trump’s public rebuke adds to Habba’s political difficulties. The controversy follows another dispute involving Habba and Ric Grenell, the former executive director of the Kennedy Center.

At an October 9 Oval Office meeting, Habba accused Grenell of failing to deposit $5.6 million allegedly earmarked for the Kennedy Center by her husband, Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon.

The money was allegedly part of a $17.6 million transfer sent to Texas Armament & Technology in May 2025.

Now, Habba faces a more immediate challenge from Congress. Habba has until November 13 to respond, after voters decide the composition of the next Congress.

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Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Pavlovic Today. Credentialed at the White House, the U.S. Senate Press Gallery and the State Department. Pavlovic was a Teaching Fellow and Doctoral Fellow in the Political...