Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), among other senators, sent a letter to the White House on Friday asking that President Donald Trump release a membership list. Democrats demand Mar-a-Lago list of members, visitors

Two Democratic senators are demanding President Donald Trump release a list of the members at his exclusive Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, alleging that people may be joining in order gain access to the president at his “winter White House.”

Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) sent a letter to the White House on Friday asking that Trump not only release a membership list, but also release names of people who visit Mar-a-Lago when he is there, explain security proceedings for club members and explain “what you are doing to screen Mar-a-Lago members to determine whether any have ties to foreign governments or other entities that seek to influence you or United States policy.”

The price of membership at the club reportedly doubled to $200,000 a year soon after Trump was elected, a fact the Democrats note in their letter.

“Presumably demand for memberships has increased dramatically since you were elected President with the expectation that a membership at your Club will offer special access to you when you are there. Indeed, as of today, the ‘Private Membership’ page on the Mar-a-Lago Club website still refers to it ‘Donald J. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club,’ and you are renowned as being a gracious, and present, host for all Club guests,” they wrote.

“At $200,000, the Mar-a-Lago membership fee is financially out of reach for all but the wealthiest Americans and international elites. … Your Winter White House will provide an audience with you for those who can afford it, not to mention an increasing cash-flow into your family-run organization. Instead of draining the swamp, it appears you’re bringing Washington right to the swamps at Mar-a-Lago.”

Whitehouse and Udall wrote they fear the club will serve as “a private refuge for pay-to-play politics.”

Trump is scheduled to depart the White House on Friday for his first trip to Mar-a-Lago as president. He spent the holidays there during the transition and has made clear his intent to visit regularly while in office.

The concerns expressed Friday echo those of other Democrats and outside ethics watchdogs that have said Trump’s business empire creates risks for conflicts of interest, arguing his decision to place his sons in charge of the business did not do enough to keep separate the interests of Trump's administration and the business empire he previously ran.