Schumer on Wednesday released a letter to John Demers, the assistant attorney general for national security, asking that he "immediately" open an investigation into reports that Grenell did not disclose the work, a potential violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

"If the reports regarding the nature of Mr. Grenell's undisclosed work with foreign entities are accurate, he may be subject to potential civil and criminal liability as well as vulnerable to blackmail in his new position in the Intelligence Community," Schumer wrote. The New York Democrat is asking the Justice Department to determine whether Grenell violated federal law and, if so, refer him for "enforcement action consistent with Justice Department policies and without regard to any political considerations." "Any illegal activity would obviously disqualify him from serving as the Director of National Intelligence or in any other position of public trust," Schumer added. The New York Democrat is asking the Justice Department to determine whether Grenell violated federal law and, if so, refer him for "enforcement action consistent with Justice Department policies and without regard to any political considerations.""Any illegal activity would obviously disqualify him from serving as the Director of National Intelligence or in any other position of public trust," Schumer added.

CNN reported this week that before joining the Trump administration Grenell's company earned more than $100,000 from a foundation tied to the Hungarian government.



Craig Engle, an attorney with the law firm Arent Fox LLP who told ProPublica he was responding on Grenell's behalf, said Grenell was not required to register under FARA “because he was not working at the direction of a foreign power.” ProPublica also reported that Grenell, in 2016, wrote articles defending Vladimir Plahotniuc, a Moldovan politician, but did not register under FARA. Plahotniuc was sanctioned by the U.S. government last month.Craig Engle, an attorney with the law firm Arent Fox LLP who told ProPublica he was responding on Grenell's behalf, said Grenell was not required to register under FARA “because he was not working at the direction of a foreign power.”

Schumer, in his letter, also questioned whether Grenell misled the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing to be ambassador to Germany about whether he was paid for the op-eds.