Rep. Rashida Tlaib Pressures Moroun Over Trump's Bridge Threat

Tlaib and a colleague demand details on Moroun's lobbying of the Trump administration.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, is trying to turn up the heat on Ambassador Bridge owner Matthew Moroun and any attempt to persuade the Trump administration to delay the opening of the rival Gordie Howe International Bridge. Tlaib and Rep. Robert Garcia sent Moroun a letter asking for details on his meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ahead of President Trump's threat to delay the new bridge's opening.

Why it matters

The Moroun family stands to lose significant traffic once the Gordie Howe Bridge opens, and they have been lobbying and litigating against the new span for years. Tlaib and Garcia believe Moroun's "interference in the Gordie Howe International Bridge project" could "increase traffic congestion, reduce economic opportunity and damage trade" between the U.S. and Canada.

The details

Tlaib and Garcia asked Moroun to provide details on his meeting with Commerce Secretary Lutnick, as well as any donations the Moroun family has made to Trump or other Republicans. They said it is "unacceptable and undeniably corrupt" for a "wealthy donor to dictate our foreign and economic policy in order to protect their own personal business interests."

  • On February 18, 2026, Tlaib and Garcia sent a letter to Moroun.
  • On February 9, 2026, President Trump threatened to delay the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

The players

Rep. Rashida Tlaib

A U.S. Representative from Detroit, Michigan and a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Rep. Robert Garcia

A U.S. Representative from California and the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Matthew Moroun

The owner of the Ambassador Bridge, a 97-year-old bridge that connects Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Howard Lutnick

The U.S. Commerce Secretary who met with Moroun prior to President Trump's threat.

President Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who threatened to delay the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

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What they’re saying

“It is flatly unacceptable and undeniably corrupt for a wealthy donor to dictate our foreign and economic policy in order to protect their own personal business interests.”

— Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Robert Garcia, U.S. Representatives (freep.com)

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee can use its own staff to conduct an investigation, but without Republican support, they will not have subpoena power to demand witness testimony or documents. If Democrats win back control of the House, they could have a better chance of forcing Moroun or others to provide information or testify.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about the influence of wealthy donors on government policy, especially when it comes to protecting their own business interests. It raises questions about transparency and accountability in the political process.