Raskin says oil companies will face consequences for importing Russian diesel

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, said that oil companies will face repercussions if they import Russian diesel, comments that come shortly after President Trump announced a diesel deal with Moscow .

In a Monday letter addressed to energy companies, Raskin said oil companies are going to “be held accountable” in the case that they import barrels of Russian diesel as part of the diesel deal, according to a report from Politico .

The letter was sent to the American Petroleum Institute and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, two industry trade groups, per Politico.

“Your members are now on notice that taking part in any effort to help President Putin hawk Russian diesel in the U.S. is a clear and dangerous violation of federal law,” Raskin’s letter reads, Politico reported.

“Those who choose to act in this way proceed at their own risk and will undoubtedly be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, whether in this Administration — or the next,” he added.

Democrats are expected to win the House in the midterm elections next week, with Decision Desk HQ saying there is a 77 percent chance they will take back the upper chamber. If Democrats pull that off, Raskin could head the House Judiciary Committee.

Trump announced earlier this month that Russia would provide the U.S. and global market with diesel. The move comes only a few weeks out from the midterm elections, in which increasing energy prices are a central issue.

The president said that Moscow would “immediately” give 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and the global marketplace.

“I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The Hill has reached out to the American Petroleum Institute and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers for comment.

When reached for comment, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement that “the Democrats are already telegraphing that, once again, they have no agenda to improve the lives of Americans and will instead continue their decade-long obsession with investigating President Trump.”