Ethics

Kushner Firm Built the Coronavirus Website Trump Promised

The extent of Oscar Health’s work on coronavirus testing hasn’t been previously reported.

  • Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic

Trump Signs Bill to Strengthen Presidential Transition Ethics Requirements

The bipartisan legislation also has requirements for GSA and other federal agencies.

  • Courtney Bublé

The President Is Winning His War on American Institutions

How Trump is destroying the civil service and bending the government to his will.

  • George Packer, The Atlantic

Trump’s New Spy Chief Failed to Report $100,000 from a Group Funded by Hungary

Richard Grenell’s past clients could raise concerns about his access to state secrets, according to his own office’s rules.

  • Isaac Arnsdorf, ProPublica

Defense Secretary Reminds Employees to Remain Apolitical and Ethical

The statement was released right after Esper attended President Trump’s remarks following the president’s acquittal on impeachment charges.

  • Courtney Bublé

The Founding Generation Showed Their Patriotism With Their Money

History suggests the value of a broader understanding of patriotism, one that goes beyond saluting-the-flag loyalty and battlefield bravery.

  • Tom Shachtman, The Atlantic

House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Presidential Transition Team Ethics Requirements

The Senate-approved measure also has requirements for GSA and other agencies.

  • Courtney Bublé

Lawmakers Demand Answers on Alleged EPA Ethics Violations

House overseers say they found multiple instances in which officials flouted required ethics pledges and other disclosures.

  • Erich Wagner

Viewpoint: The Obscure—but Critical—Rules the Trump Administration Has Sought to Corrupt

I was part of a team that carefully developed a rule-making process in compliance with both the Constitution and Congress’s laws. Can the same be said now?

  • Peter M. Shane, The Atlantic

Viewpoint: Hush Contracts Corrupt Everyone Who Signs Them

Nondisclosure agreements silence sexual-harassment victims and White House employees alike. The law shouldn’t allow these deals.

  • Tess Wilkinson-Ryan and Dave Hoffman, The Atlantic

Viewpoint: The Case Against 'Emolument'

The word is outdated. Why not use plain language instead?

  • John McWhorter, The Atlantic

The Trump Administration Says It Has Violated Its Own Ethics Pledge

We found multiple Trump ethics pledge violations hidden in a little-noticed government report. They show inappropriate actions by government employees, lobbyists and former business clients.

  • Derek Kravitz, ProPublica

Analysis: Why Firing Mick Mulvaney Is Riskier Than Keeping Him

President Trump’s third chief of staff seemed destined for the door until impeachment came along.

  • Elaina Plott and Peter Nicholas, The Atlantic
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Viewpoint: Trump’s Government Lawyers Don’t Know Who Their Real Client Is

White House and Justice Department attorneys work for the government and the public—but are acting in Trump’s personal interest instead.

  • Kim Wehle, The Atlantic

Ethics Officials Criticize Selection of Trump Resort for G-7 Summit

They cite potential emoluments clause and government contracting law violations.

  • Courtney Bublé

Viewpoint: Trump’s Most Shameless Act of Profiteering

The president is bringing the G7 to the struggling Trump Doral resort.

  • David A. Graham, The Atlantic

Analysis: What Elizabeth Warren Learned From Her Heroine

Frances Perkins’s genius lay in spotting a problem—and framing it as something government action could fix.

  • Susannah Jacob, The Atlantic

Biden Pledges to Create a Commission on Federal Ethics If Elected President

Amid the Ukraine scandal, Biden goes after Trump in his new ethics plan.

  • Courtney Bublé

A 'Staggering' 281 Lobbyists Have Worked in the Trump Administration

That’s one lobbyist for every 14 political appointees, and four times more than Obama appointed in half the time.

  • David Mora, ProPublica

House Is Investigating Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao’s Possible Conflicts of Interest

The Oversight and Reform Committee is requesting documents related to her family’s company, financial investments and travel.

  • Courtney Bublé

Justice Department Awards Kavanaugh Team One of Its Highest Honors

Previously, the award has been given to terrorism, human trafficking and other criminal prosecution teams.

  • Courtney Bublé