U.S. Congressman Calls on Trump Administration to Target Illicit Activities in Georgia

U.S. Congressman Calls on Incoming Trump Administration to Target Georgian Illicit Activities

As the 119th Congress prepares to convene on January 3rd, South Carolina Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has urged the incoming Trump administration to prioritize tackling illicit activities in Georgia. In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Wilson specifically calls on Secretary of State nominee Senator Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor nominee Representative Michael Waltz to focus on dismantling Georgian sanctions evasion schemes, scam call centers, and other enterprises linked to the ruling Georgian Dream party.

This call to action comes after the United States imposed sanctions on Georgia's former Prime Minister and Russia-linked billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is widely considered the de facto ruler of the country. Congressman Wilson, who chairs the Helsinki Commission, views these sanctions as a significant step forward and urges the administration to extend them to Ivanishvili's family and associates. He believes this will help advance the shared goals of defending democracy and countering malign influence worldwide.

Wilson's letter echoes the concerns of many Georgia watchers in the United States and Europe who have expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the Georgian Dream's recent victory in the October parliamentary elections. These concerns have fueled ongoing protests and calls for new elections. Despite these domestic and international pressures, the Georgian Dream party has moved forward with the inauguration of a new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former soccer player and staunch critic of the West.

While Georgian Dream officials have downplayed the impact of U.S. sanctions, experts believe that the incoming Trump administration is likely to take a tougher stance against countries aligned with China and Iran. This could leave the Georgian Dream government facing significant challenges, as they have increasingly aligned themselves with these authoritarian regimes in recent years.

The situation in Georgia highlights the complex geopolitical landscape that the Trump administration will inherit. As Congressman Wilson and other experts have pointed out, the new administration will need to carefully navigate these challenges to ensure U.S. interests are protected and that countries like Georgia do not fall further under the influence of malign actors.