Executive Summary
- A report by ProPublica alleges that White House official Paul Ingrassia directed the DHS to return electronic devices seized from Andrew and Tristan Tate.
- Mr. Ingrassia previously worked as a lawyer for the Tate brothers, who face human trafficking and rape investigations in multiple countries.
- A lawyer for the alleged victims stated the report validates concerns about U.S. government interference in the case.
- The Tate brothers face separate criminal and civil proceedings in Romania and the United Kingdom, and they deny all allegations.
A lawyer representing alleged victims of Andrew and Tristan Tate has expressed concern over potential U.S. government interference following a report that a White House official intervened in an investigation into the brothers. According to ProPublica, Paul Ingrassia, a White House official and former lawyer for the Tates, directed Department of Homeland Security officials in February to return electronic devices seized from the brothers upon their arrival in the United States from Romania.
The devices were confiscated by Customs and Border Protection. The Tate brothers, who are British-American citizens, face multiple investigations for human trafficking and rape in Romania, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Mr. Ingrassia reportedly made the request to senior DHS officials, causing frustration among career agents, according to the ProPublica report.
Matthew Jury, a managing partner at the law firm representing four British women who allege they are victims of Tate, stated that the report validates long-held concerns. “This only validates our concerns that the U.S. Government interfered with Romania’s due process,” Jury said, questioning whether the White House’s actions would influence the U.K. government’s handling of the case.
The Tate brothers are currently subject to legal proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. In the U.K., prosecutors have authorized 21 criminal charges, including rape and human trafficking, and secured an extradition order from Romanian courts. However, Romania has ruled that the brothers will only be extradited after their domestic criminal proceedings are concluded. Separately, a civil trial brought by Jury’s clients is scheduled to begin in London on June 22, 2026. The Tate brothers have consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
The alleged intervention by a White House official has introduced new questions regarding the impartiality of the ongoing legal processes against the brothers. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.