Pro-Trump group courts donors with Cabinet access

Energy Secretary Rick Perry will headline an intimate gathering of high-powered business executives in Texas next week for the pro-Trump outside group America First Policies, the first in a series of “roundtable discussions” giving donors face time with top Trump officials.

The Houston event featuring Perry, detailed in an invitation sent to a Republican donor and obtained by POLITICO, will include roughly 30 people and cover topics from energy policy to the Trump administration’s broader agenda, America First spokeswoman Erin Montgomery said. Perry will not solicit donations from the attendees at the Monday event, which would be a violation of federal law — but America First officials plan to ask for contributions after Perry leaves the room.

The event highlights the cozy and growing ties between officials in President Donald Trump’s administration and outside allies spending millions of dollars pushing administration policies this year. America First is brandishing its relationships with government officials to establish itself as the White House’s preferred outside ally, among a mass of pro-Trump groups that have popped up this year.

In addition to holding more roundtable events, America First Policies recently held conference calls featuring White House Legislative Affairs Director Marc Short, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Erik Paulsen, all key players on tax reform. America First leaders also huddled with White House officials recently.

America First Policies and its affiliated super PAC, America First Action, plan to raise and spend $100 million supporting Trump’s agenda in the next year. Super PACs are not permitted to coordinate with candidates and there are strict rules governing Cabinet officials’ political activities. But there is a loophole: Perry and others can participate in events put on by America First’s nonprofit policy arm, which is legally separate from the super PAC even though the same officers run both groups.