Ethics

House Democrats Seek to Reduce Corporate Influence in the Federal Government

A group of progressive-leaning House Democrats urged the Senate to not confirm lobbyists or C-suite officials for political appointments.

Courtney Bublé
October 19, 2020

House Democrats Seek to Reduce Corporate Influence in the Federal Government

A group of progressive-leaning House Democrats urged the Senate to not confirm lobbyists or C-suite officials for political appointments.

Courtney Bublé
October 19, 2020

What Donald Trump Doesn’t Want to Hear

White House aides cater to the president’s emotional needs, at the expense of the country’s interests and his own health.

Peter Nicholas, The Atlantic
October 8, 2020

The Justice Department May Have Violated Attorney General Barr’s Own Policy Memo

In a memo from May, the attorney general reminded Justice Dept. prosecutors to avoid partisan politics. Then a U.S. attorney in Pennsylvania announced an election investigation that had partisan overtones.

Justin Elliott and Robert Faturechi, ProPublica
October 7, 2020

Trump’s Vaccine Czar Refuses to Give Up Stock in Drug Company Involved in His Government Role

The administration calls Moncef Slaoui, who leads its vaccine race, a “contractor” to sidestep rules against personally profiting from government positions. Slaoui owns $10 million in stock of a company working with his team to develop a vaccine.

Isaac Arnsdorf, ProPublica
September 25, 2020

The Inside Story of the Mueller Probe’s Mistakes

In a new book, Andrew Weissmann, one of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s top deputies, lays out the limits and letdowns of the years-long Russia investigation.

George Packer, The Atlantic
September 21, 2020

GovExec Daily: Career Feds and Political Interference

Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the investigations into interference into agency work.

Ross Gianfortune and Adam Butler
September 17, 2020

What Are Parents Supposed to Do With Their Kids?

With public schools closed, at least 15 states have no free child-care options for essential workers.

Olga Khazan and Adam Harris, The Atlantic
September 6, 2020

The Trump Administration Is Backing Out of a $647 Million Ventilator Deal After ProPublica Investigated the Price

The government overpaid by hundreds of millions for Philips ventilators, says a House investigation spurred by ProPublica reporting. Now that deal is off and Congress is scrutinizing other coronavirus deals made by trade adviser Peter Navarro.

Sebastian Rotella and Patricia Callahan, ProPublica
September 3, 2020

Now in Government Food Aid Boxes: A Letter From Donald Trump

Democrats say the letter violates the law against using government resources to campaign. It’s just the latest example of President Trump using his office to boost his reelection hopes.

Isaac Arnsdorf, ProPublica
September 2, 2020

Family Photos at Work Curb Fraud and Unethical Activity

When employees display photos of their friends and family at work, they're less likely to engage in fraud or unethical behavior, researchers say.

Futurity
August 26, 2020

The United States Versus Steve Bannon

Masked and handcuffed, President Trump’s former chief strategist was arraigned on charges of fraud.

Russell Berman, The Atlantic
August 21, 2020

One Federal Agency Was Suing Him for Fraud. Another Paid His Company Millions for Masks.

Court records show the federal government gave $20 million in contracts to a company partly controlled by a man with a history of shady business practices.

J. David McSwane, ProPublica
July 11, 2020

Trump Friends and Family Cleared for Millions in Small Business Bailout

Beneficiaries of the PPP included a lettuce farming venture backed by Trump’s son, Kushner companies, and a dentist who golfs with the president. The figures were released after a lawsuit by several news organizations, including ProPublica.

Isaac Arnsdorf, Jack Gillum, Mike Spies and Jake Pearson
July 7, 2020

Analysis: Should the President Pick the Attorney General?

Attorneys general who serve at the pleasure of the president are more likely to act in pursuit of a particular political agenda, rather than solely in accordance with the rule of law.

Joshua Holzer, The Conversation
June 27, 2020

A Company Run by a White House 'Volunteer' With No Experience in Medical Supplies Got $2.4 Million From the Feds for Medical Supplies

A $2.4 million deal to supply the Bureau of Prisons with surgical gowns was the second multimillion dollar contract for coronavirus supplies that went to somebody who did work for the White House but had little relevant experience.

Yeganeh Torbati and Derek Willis, ProPublica
June 26, 2020

Analysis: The Justice Department Has Had to Twist Itself in Knots to Defend Trump on Emoluments

For decades, the department has interpreted the Constitution to err on the side of country first. Now all that has changed.

Jane Chong, The Atlantic
May 29, 2020

Revenge of the Obamacrats

Obama’s top environmental official wanted nothing to do with politics after leaving the government. What did it take to bring her back?

Miranda Green, The Atlantic
May 27, 2020

The Feds Gave a Former White House Official $3 Million to Supply Masks to Navajo Hospitals. Some May Not Work.

Zach Fuentes, former deputy chief of staff to President Trump, won the contract just days after registering his company. He sold Chinese masks to the government just as federal regulators were scrutinizing foreign-made equipment.

Yeganeh Torbati and Derek Willis, ProPublica
May 24, 2020

Another Private Jet Company Owned by a Trump Donor Got a Bailout — This One for $20 Million

The two private jet companies are among the first 96 airline companies disclosed as recipients of taxpayer funds under the CARES Act.

Jake Pearson, ProPublica
May 19, 2020

GovExec Daily: Inspectors General and Oversight In the Trump Administration

Katherine McIntire Peters and Courtney Bublé join the podcast to discuss the president's letter stating that he will remove State Department Inspector General Steve Linick from his job.

Ross Gianfortune and Adam Butler
May 19, 2020

Pence’s 'Special Envoy' in Foreign Aid Office Sparked an Ethics Complaint Just Weeks After He Started His Job

Weeks before joining the administration, Max Primorac, a USAID appointee and adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, pushed the business interests of a client to an organization funded by USAID.

Yeganeh Torbati, ProPublica
May 14, 2020

White House aides cater to the president’s emotional needs, at the expense of the country’s interests and his own health.

In a memo from May, the attorney general reminded Justice Dept. prosecutors to avoid partisan politics. Then a U.S. attorney in Pennsylvania announced an election investigation that had partisan overtones.

The administration calls Moncef Slaoui, who leads its vaccine race, a “contractor” to sidestep rules against personally profiting from government positions. Slaoui owns $10 million in stock of a company working with his team to develop a vaccine.

In a new book, Andrew Weissmann, one of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s top deputies, lays out the limits and letdowns of the years-long Russia investigation.

Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the investigations into interference into agency work.

With public schools closed, at least 15 states have no free child-care options for essential workers.

The government overpaid by hundreds of millions for Philips ventilators, says a House investigation spurred by ProPublica reporting. Now that deal is off and Congress is scrutinizing other coronavirus deals made by trade adviser Peter Navarro.

Democrats say the letter violates the law against using government resources to campaign. It’s just the latest example of President Trump using his office to boost his reelection hopes.

When employees display photos of their friends and family at work, they're less likely to engage in fraud or unethical behavior, researchers say.

Masked and handcuffed, President Trump’s former chief strategist was arraigned on charges of fraud.

Court records show the federal government gave $20 million in contracts to a company partly controlled by a man with a history of shady business practices.

Beneficiaries of the PPP included a lettuce farming venture backed by Trump’s son, Kushner companies, and a dentist who golfs with the president. The figures were released after a lawsuit by several news organizations, including ProPublica.

Attorneys general who serve at the pleasure of the president are more likely to act in pursuit of a particular political agenda, rather than solely in accordance with the rule of law.

A $2.4 million deal to supply the Bureau of Prisons with surgical gowns was the second multimillion dollar contract for coronavirus supplies that went to somebody who did work for the White House but had little relevant experience.

For decades, the department has interpreted the Constitution to err on the side of country first. Now all that has changed.

Obama’s top environmental official wanted nothing to do with politics after leaving the government. What did it take to bring her back?

Zach Fuentes, former deputy chief of staff to President Trump, won the contract just days after registering his company. He sold Chinese masks to the government just as federal regulators were scrutinizing foreign-made equipment.

The two private jet companies are among the first 96 airline companies disclosed as recipients of taxpayer funds under the CARES Act.

Katherine McIntire Peters and Courtney Bublé join the podcast to discuss the president's letter stating that he will remove State Department Inspector General Steve Linick from his job.

Weeks before joining the administration, Max Primorac, a USAID appointee and adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, pushed the business interests of a client to an organization funded by USAID.

Thank you!