New documents show top Trump officials disregarded concerns by State Dept. officials in relaxing sanctions on Israeli "Blood Diamond" magnate
CBSN
It was one of the final decisions Trump officials made before leaving office. On January 15, 2021, the Treasury Department eased sanctions on Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler, temporarily restoring his access to a web of companies and frozen bank accounts that U.S. officials say he used to bilk more than $1.3 billion in mining revenues from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nearly two years later, CBS News has learned the sign-off came despite strong objections from some senior State Department officials, who, documents suggest, were denied an audience to make their case to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The Treasury Department must coordinate lifting sanctions with the State Department, among others. Nothing has surfaced indicating the State Department formally objected to easing the sanctions on Gertler and his companies.
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