The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation

Influencer Andrew Tate — who frequently promotes misogynistic views and has built a massive following of young men online — was already under investigation for alleged sex trafficking in three different countries when he and his brother Tristan left Romania earlier this year and traveled to the United States. Before boarding their private flight in February, Tate posted on X that with Donald Trump back in office, he believed he and his brother would finally be “free,” praising the president as he often does to his fan base.

But the moment the brothers landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, they were confronted once again by authorities. Customs and Border Protection agents seized their electronic devices as part of an examination at the airport. What the Tates did not expect, however, was that someone inside the White House would soon step in on their behalf.

According to interviews and documents reviewed by ProPublica, a White House official contacted senior leaders at the Department of Homeland Security several days after the seizure. This official, Paul Ingrassia — who had previously represented the Tates as an attorney before joining the administration as the White House liaison to DHS — told those officials the devices should be returned. In a written message, Ingrassia criticized DHS agents for taking the electronics and argued they were wasting time and resources. He emphasized that the request to hand the devices back came directly from the White House.

This episode is one of several in which Trump’s White House has used its authority to assist allies and target adversaries. Since taking office for a second time, Trump has pushed for investigations into elected officials who previously scrutinized him, and he has issued pardons to multiple political associates. Tate, one of the loudest voices in the online “manosphere,” has become a valuable supporter of Trump, helping him cultivate younger male voters. News that the administration sought to help the brothers comes amid growing criticism of Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and renewed controversy over the administration’s efforts to block the publication of records connected to Epstein.

Inside DHS, Ingrassia’s outreach caused significant unease. Officials worried that complying could amount to meddling in a federal investigation, according to internal communications and interviews. One person involved, who requested anonymity, said they were appalled by the “brazenness” of the intervention and the expectation that officials would simply follow orders. They said the request violated their duty to enforce the law impartially and avoid handing out political favors.

What prompted the original seizure, what investigators found on the devices, and whether Ingrassia’s actions affected the case remain unclear. Both DHS and the White House declined to answer detailed questions about the incident. But experts in law enforcement procedure said it is extraordinarily unusual — and inappropriate — for the White House to intervene in such a matter. John F. Tobon, a retired senior Homeland Security Investigations official, said that in decades of work he had never seen anything similar and described the reference to the White House as “intimidating.” He warned that even if agents resisted the pressure, knowing the administration disapproved of their actions could discourage them from taking necessary investigative steps.

Samuel Buell, a Duke University law professor and former federal prosecutor, said the effort to help the Tates fits a wider pattern of political interference in law enforcement. He noted that such actions would have been considered unacceptable before 2025, describing the situation as part of a sweeping abandonment of long-standing norms.

Joseph McBride, one of the brothers’ attorneys, said he was unaware of what ultimately happened to the seized devices, only that they had not been returned. He insisted his clients were innocent and that their electronics contained nothing incriminating, pointing out that previous investigations have not resulted in charges. McBride acknowledged that he occasionally speaks with Ingrassia, who used to work for his firm, but he said he could not recall discussing the devices with him. He also denied that Ingrassia provided any special assistance to the Tates once he joined the Trump administration.

Ingrassia himself denied intervening when contacted briefly by ProPublica, insisting “nothing happened” before ending the call. His lawyer later said that Ingrassia neither ordered nor claimed the White House ordered the return of the devices, calling the reported account “fiction.” When asked whether Ingrassia had merely requested, rather than ordered, that the devices be returned, his lawyer dismissed the distinction.

A DHS spokesperson confirmed that CBP conducted a full baggage inspection and held all electronic devices belonging to the brothers, passing them to Homeland Security Investigations for analysis. A separate DHS official confirmed HSI agents examined the contents of the electronics.

The brothers left the United States at the end of March. No U.S. criminal charges have been brought against them, although filings in a Florida civil case suggested prosecutors in New York may be investigating. A representative for federal prosecutors declined to comment. Shortly after arriving in Florida, Andrew Tate told conservative commentator Candace Owens that the government had taken his phones and laptops after he refused to provide his passwords. He claimed the seizure violated his rights and boasted that investigators would find nothing incriminating, saying he wipes his devices regularly.

He did not mention any attempt by the White House to assist him and mistakenly suggested Florida state authorities took his electronics. Meanwhile, shortly after the brothers’ arrival in the state, Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a separate Florida investigation, accusing the Tates of behavior consistent with trafficking and exploitation and vowing not to tolerate it. The status of the state inquiry remains unknown.

Allegations against Andrew Tate — involving sexual coercion, violence and trafficking — have followed him for years. He was removed from the British “Big Brother” reality show in 2016 after a video surfaced of him hitting a woman with a belt, which he claimed was consensual. His notoriety only grew afterward, as he recast himself as a mentor to men, promoted extreme views on gender, and aligned himself with the MAGA movement. He publicly expressed strong support for Trump after meeting Trump’s son in 2017.

Tate later moved to Romania, saying he believed authorities there were less aggressive in prosecuting sexual offenses. But in 2023, Romanian prosecutors accused him and his brother of operating a trafficking ring and luring women into filming explicit content under false pretenses. Some accusations involved minors. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape. The brothers have denied wrongdoing, and a Romanian court sent the case back to prosecutors over procedural issues.

They also face charges in the United Kingdom related to allegations from three women, including rape and trafficking. Arrest warrants were issued in 2024, but British authorities said extradition would wait until the Romanian case concludes. A woman in Florida has also sued the brothers, alleging they coerced her into sex work in Romania; most of her claims were dismissed, but a judge allowed her to amend and refile.

Throughout this year, Tate has mocked the cases against him, portraying himself as a victim of political persecution and comparing his situation to Trump’s. He has insisted that law enforcement in multiple countries has no case against him.

The Tates have also drawn the attention of figures within Trump’s orbit. In February, Romania’s foreign minister said that U.S. envoy Richard Grenell told him he remained attentive to the brothers’ legal situation. Grenell later said they did not have a substantive discussion but acknowledged he has publicly supported the Tates.

Source: PROPUBLICA