Republican Congressman Lance Gooden has voiced strong opposition to the Biden administration's decision to investigate Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's companies, questioning the motivations behind the probe. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Gooden suggested that the investigation may be politically motivated, aimed at disrupting Donald Trump’s inauguration and tarnishing the reputation of India's leading industrialist.

The investigation stems from allegations that the Adani Group defrauded U.S. investors by hiding a bribery scheme to secure government contracts in India. Adani has denied the charges, calling them baseless. Gooden argued that even if the allegations were proven true, the United States should not intervene in a matter that involves alleged wrongdoing by Indian officials in India.

Gooden warned that such actions could damage U.S.-India relations, which are vital both economically and strategically. India is considered one of America’s key allies in the Asia-Pacific region, and targeting its top businesses could harm this crucial partnership. He also emphasized the negative impact on American businesses, suggesting that the focus on foreign business leaders could discourage valuable foreign investment in the U.S.

In his letter, Gooden questioned the timing of the investigation, implying that it could disrupt Trump’s efforts to revitalize America’s economy. He also criticized the Justice Department for not addressing similar cases involving American executives who allegedly laundered money and bribed foreign governments. Gooden's letter included a series of pointed questions regarding the investigation’s legal basis, potential extradition issues, and the broader diplomatic consequences for U.S.-India relations.