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Why is Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner under particular scrutiny at the moment?

He’s set to be investigated for potential links to Russia.

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As Donald Trump has reached the final day of his first international trip, he will be returning home to a White House that sits under a cloud of scandal.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has hit headlines recently as a newly appointed special council is beginning its investigation into links between the Trump campaign and Russian officials, with Kushner a focus of the probe – according to the Washington Post.

Here’s a reminder of Kushner’s role in the administration and everything you need to know about the probe.

What role does Kushner hold in the Trump administration?

Kushner
(Andrew Medichini/AP)

Kushner is senior adviser to the president.

His initial appointment was questioned due to speculation that it was potentially down to nepotism. He is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, but the Department of Justice approved his role in the White House.

Why is he set to talk to federal investigators and Congress?

Kushner
(Evan Vucci/AP)

Kushner will be questioned about his contacts and his role in Trump’s presidential campaign.

This comes as part of the investigations into Russia-Trump campaign connections. Those investigations include allegations that there may have been collaboration to help Trump and harm Hillary Clinton.

What allegations are being made against Kushner?

The Washington Post reports that the Russian ambassador to the United States told his superiors that he and Kushner discussed setting up a secret communications channel between the Trump transition team and the Kremlin.

And Reuters reports that Kushner had at least three previously undisclosed contacts with the Russian ambassador last year, including two phone calls between April and November.

What happens next?

Kushner and the Pope
(AP)

Kushner has already volunteered to speak to Congress about those meetings, and his attorney says he’s willing to cooperate with any additional investigations.

The interest in Kushner would move the wider investigation into the White House, although there is no indication that Kushner is accused of wrongdoing or that he is a target.

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