Ethics

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The word is outdated.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

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
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Lawmakers Call On Commerce Chief to Resign Over Alleged Threats to Fire Top NOAA Officials

Ross is said to have threatened to fire officials if they would not fix a statement contradicting the president’s claims Hurricane Dorian was likely to hit Alabama.

  • Courtney Bublé

House Democrats Probe Federal Officials’ Stays at Trump Properties

Lawmakers look into possible Emoluments Clause violations and potential waste of taxpayer funds.

  • Courtney Bublé

Watchdog Group Tallies 2,310 Conflicts of Interest Associated With President Trump’s Businesses

Report highlights an unprecedented mix of presidential affairs and personal business.

  • Courtney Bublé

Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Transition Team Ethics Requirements 

Bill also clarifies GSA’s role during presidential changeovers.  

  • Courtney Bublé

Republicans and Democrats Divided on Approach to Scientific Integrity at Federal Agencies

Democrats hold hearing to advocate for a bill they say would protect federal researchers from inappropriate political influence. 

  • Courtney Bublé

Government Ethics Chief Warns Trump Appointees That Agreements Are ‘Not Mere Aspirations’

Top ethics official notes that he can take steps to punish those who violate pacts to avoid conflicts.

  • Eric Katz

Special Counsel Defends Career Staff as Panel Subpoenas Trump Counselor Over Hatch Act Violations

Kellyanne Conway’s no-show at a House hearing prompts partisan-tinged questioning of Special Counsel Henry Kerner.

  • Charles S. Clark

Drug Enforcement Administration Executive Cited for Nepotism

Justice Department IG finds son and former employees hired as contractors, wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars.

  • Charles S. Clark