Palantir Hires Democratic Lobbyists
Palantir, a prominent AI surveillance firm, has recently brought on board several Democratic lobbyists linked to former senator and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as reported on Monday.
The company suggests that its connection with the Trump administration is integral to providing technology to various government entities, including the military, the Department of Homeland Security, and the CDC, among others.
A report from Sludge, a nonprofit research organization, disclosed on June 15 that Palantir has hired Avoq LLC as its lobbying firm starting May 1. This firm reportedly has strong ties within the Democratic political scene.
Key figures on this new team include Steve Elmendorf, a major fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and Cedric Grant, who was Jeffries’ first chief of staff. Additionally, Keith Castaldo, who served as general counsel to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Joseph Orlando, a former aide to Democratic Representatives Frank Pallone and Jan Schakowsky, are also part of the crew.
Moreover, Palantir has recruited former Alaska Senator Mark Begich as a lobbyist. During his tenure from 2009 to 2015, he was involved in several key committees, including Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
This new move into Democratic lobbying might generate pushback from leftist activists, depending on the company’s political contributions and stock holdings.
Earlier in February, local news outlets highlighted issues surrounding the New Jersey Democratic Party, which allegedly received funds from Palantir. In response, the organization Make the Road organized a rally in March asking Congressman Josh Gottheimer to return the donations.
Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi had sold his shares in Palantir following some scrutiny in February regarding his investments. John Beshear, another Democrat running for a seat in Congress, also faced criticism for holding shares in the company, which have become a contentious topic within party politics.
Overall, Palantir’s activities could significantly influence perceptions within the Democratic Party, as the implications of its actions continue to unfold.
