Budget chief Russell Vought is systematically using government shutdown authority to cancel contracts, freeze billions in congressionally approved funds, and secretly withhold ‘$5 billion in foreign aid through pocket rescissions,’ completely bypassing Congressional oversight. This …
Russell VoughtOffice of Management and BudgetCongressinstitutional-captureexecutive-overreachconstitutional-crisiscongressional-authority-subversion
The Trump administration blocked $88 million in congressionally approved funding for more than 100 organizations serving human trafficking survivors, eliminating housing, counseling, and legal support services. The funding freeze affected critical services for some of society’s most vulnerable …
CoreCivic, a private prison company, secured nearly $300 million in new ICE contracts to add 5,700 detention beds across California, Kansas, and Oklahoma, effectively doubling agency capacity by 2026. The contracts include $130 million annually for California City Correctional Facility, $60 million …
OMB Director Russ Vought systematically used government shutdown planning to execute mass federal purges, cancel funding, block oversight, and reclassify workers across agencies according to the Project 2025 framework. This represents a deliberate conversion of the Office of Management and Budget …
Russ VoughtOffice of Management and BudgetTrump AdministrationCongressinstitutional-capturesystematic-corruptionexecutive-overreachproject-2025-implementation
Kaiser Family Foundation analysis revealed that enhanced ACA premium tax credits helping over 20 million Americans afford health coverage are set to expire December 31, 2025, triggering an average 114% premium increase ($1,016 annually). Households at 150-200% of poverty level would see premiums …
Donald TrumpCongressKaiser Family Foundationhealthcareaca-sabotageeconomic-harmpublic-healthinstitutional-sabotage
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notified employees of potential job cuts after Congress halved its funding cap, following Trump’s earlier purge of Director Rohit Chopra. The CFPB, established after the 2008 financial crisis to protect consumers from predatory lending, credit card …
Trump invoked ‘pocket rescission’ to unilaterally claw back nearly $5 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid from the State Department and USAID, circumventing Congress’s constitutional authority over federal appropriations. Pocket rescission is a controversial executive …
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought inserted political conditions into over 100 budget accounts, blocking billions in congressionally appropriated funds from being spent according to legislative intent. Vought’s OMB added requirements such as ideological loyalty tests, …
Russell VoughtOffice of Management and BudgetTrumpCongressexecutive-overreachconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powerscongressional-authoritybudget-manipulation
Trump signed GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins) July 18, 2025, first major crypto law passed by Congress (House 308-122, Senate 68-30). Establishes federal stablecoin framework requiring 100% reserves (cash/ Treasuries), Bank Secrecy Act compliance. …
Donald TrumpCongresscryptolegislationconflict-of-interestself-dealing
House Legislative Branch subcommittee votes 6-4 on party lines to cut GAO budget to $415M (48% reduction). Prohibits GAO from Impoundment Control Act suits without Congressional resolution. Committee cites ‘self-directed liberal initiatives.’ GAO head warns of ‘grave, …
US House of RepresentativesGovernment Accountability Office (GAO)Congressoversight-capturebudget-cutsgaolegislative-oversightinstitutional-weakening
President Trump has systematically undermined post-Watergate institutional safeguards by firing inspectors general, challenging civil service protections, and seeking to neutralize oversight mechanisms established after the Nixon era. Key actions include dismissing Merit Systems Protection Board …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSupreme CourtCongressMerit Systems Protection Boardregulatory-captureethics-violationjustice-weaponizationinstitutional-dismantlingcivil-service-protections
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a critical hearing investigating unprecedented threats to judicial independence in 2025, documenting rising levels of violence, intimidation, disinformation, and defiance of lawful court judgments. Testimony revealed a disturbing pattern of physical threats, …
Multiple federal courts reached a critical constitutional impasse regarding presidential emoluments enforcement in April 2025. The D.C. Circuit Court suggested potential criminal referrals for foreign financial entanglements, while the 4th Circuit Court blocked traditional accountability mechanisms, …
D.C. Circuit Court4th Circuit CourtDepartment of JusticeCongressemolumentsconstitutional-crisisjudicial-reviewfinancial-conflict
President Donald J. Trump signed H.J.Res.25 into law, nullifying an IRS rule that would have expanded cryptocurrency broker reporting requirements to include decentralized finance (DeFi) exchanges. The Congressional Review Act was used to reverse the Biden-era regulation, with the House passing the …
Donald TrumpMike CareyWays and Means CommitteeCongresscryptoregulatory-capturetax-policylegislative-action
In a landmark decision, Congress reauthorized and expanded Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), dramatically increasing domestic surveillance capabilities. The legislation allows warrantless access to Americans’ communications and compels a wide range of businesses …
Intelligence CommunityNSAFBIWhite HouseTech Companies+3 moresurveillance-stateintelligence-communityfourth-amendmentdomestic-surveillancefisa+2 more
President Biden exercised Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) 55 times from August 2021 through September 2024, transferring $31.7 billion in weapons from Pentagon stockpiles to Ukraine without normal Congressional oversight. Congress expanded PDA’s annual cap from $100 million to $11 …
Joe BidenPentagonCongressUkraineMike Leeemergency-powersukrainemilitary-aidcongressional-bypassdefense-spending
Securing Inspector General Independence Act of 2022 enacted as part of NDAA, requiring 30-day advance notice to Congress before IG removal, limiting who can serve as Acting IG, and requiring explanation for failure to nominate replacement. Led by bipartisan coalition including Grassley, Peters, …
The Trump administration claimed ‘absolute immunity’ to block all congressional oversight, with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone declaring Congress had no ’legitimate legislative purpose’ for investigations. Don McGahn defied House subpoenas despite federal judges ruling …
Donald TrumpPat CipolloneDon McGahnJohn BoltonMike Pompeo+1 moreobstructionabsolute-immunitycongressional-oversightconstitutional-crisisexecutive-power
The NSA officially ended its bulk collection of Americans’ telephone metadata at 11:59 PM on November 29, 2015, as required by the USA Freedom Act passed by Congress in June 2015. The program, which had operated under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act since 2006, systematically collected …
NSACongressBarack ObamaEdward SnowdenFISA Courtnsa-surveillancesurveillance-reformusa-freedom-actbulk-collectionprivacy-rights+1 more
The Supreme Court strikes down Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in a 5-4 decision, effectively nullifying Section 5’s preclearance requirement that prevented jurisdictions with histories of racial discrimination from changing voting laws without federal approval. Chief Justice …
President Barack Obama signed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act into law, addressing long-standing concerns about insider trading by members of Congress. The bipartisan legislation, passed with overwhelming support (96-3 in Senate, 417-2 in House), prohibits members of Congress …
Congress passes the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, creating the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to bail out major financial institutions. Despite extensive evidence of widespread mortgage fraud, predatory lending, and securities violations that precipitated the crisis, the …
Henry PaulsonGoldman SachsJPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaCitigroup+3 moreinstitutional-capturecorruptionfinancial-crisisbailoutregulatory-capture+2 more
The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act took full effect after President Bush signed it into law, implementing new ethics rules designed to slow the revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms. The law extended cooling-off periods from one to two years for senators and established a …
Monica Goodling, White House liaison and senior counsel to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, testified under immunity that she violated federal law by applying political loyalty tests to career Justice Department positions. A 1999 graduate of Pat Robertson’s Regent University Law School, …
Department of Justice Inspector General Glenn Fine releases comprehensive report documenting widespread FBI abuse of National Security Letters (NSLs) and surveillance authorities. The investigation found FBI systematically circumvented legal requirements, collected intelligence on Americans without …
Glenn FineFBIDepartment of JusticeCongressNational Security Division+1 morefbi-surveillance-abuseinspector-general-reportconstitutional-violationnational-security-letterscongressional-oversight
The Bush administration fired 9 U.S. attorneys in an unprecedented midterm purge for what investigators determined were largely political reasons. Seven prosecutors were ordered to resign on December 7, 2006, including David Iglesias (New Mexico), Carol Lam (Southern California), and John McKay …
Alberto GonzalesKarl RoveDavid IglesiasCarol LamGeorge W. Bush+1 moreobstruction-of-justicepolitical-prosecutiondojgonzalesauthoritarianism
Lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges, exposing one of the largest congressional corruption scandals in modern U.S. history. Abramoff and partner Michael Scanlon defrauded Native American tribes of 5 million through inflated lobbying fees and secret kickbacks. The …
Jack AbramoffMichael ScanlonBob NeyTom DeLaySteven Griles+2 morecorruptionlobbyingabramoffcongressbribery+1 more
Public Citizen released “Congressional Revolving Doors: The Journey from Congress To K Street,” documenting that 43% of U.S. House and Senate lawmakers (86 out of 198) who left office between 1998 and 2004 became registered lobbyists. The report found that 50% of eligible departing …
Public CitizenCongressK Streetrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptionregulatory-capture
Scott Bloch, Special Counsel at the Office of Special Counsel (2004-2008), systematically dismantled federal whistleblower protections by dismissing over 1,000 whistleblower disclosures without investigation. Coalition of whistleblower groups documented his 95% dismissal rate, with only 25 of 530 …
Scott BlochOSCWhistleblower GroupsCongressFBIwhistleblower-suppressionoscobstruction-of-justicescott-bloch
The Bush administration systematically concealed the true 34 billion cost of Medicare Part D from Congress, presenting false 95 billion estimates to ensure passage. CMS Administrator Thomas Scully ordered Chief Actuary Richard Foster to suppress accurate cost estimates, allegedly telling him …
Thomas ScullyRichard FosterGeorge W. BushCharles RangelCongressmedicare-part-dcost-deceptionscullycongress-fraudhealthcare
Air Force Lt. Colonel and NSA intelligence officer Karen Kwiatkowski, assigned to the Pentagon’s Office of Special Plans, documents systematic intelligence corruption coordinated between OSP and the White House Iraq Group before retiring to become a whistleblower. Kwiatkowski testified to …
Karen KwiatkowskiOffice of Special PlansWhite House Iraq GroupDouglas FeithMichael Maloof+5 morewhistleblowerospwhigkwiatkowskiintelligence-corruption+3 more
President Bush’s firing of two experienced Inspector Generals on Valentine’s Day 2002 represents systematic preparation for constitutional crisis operations by destroying independent oversight infrastructure necessary for WHIG’s subsequent systematic deception campaigns. The …
George W. BushLouise JordanRoberta GrossSean O'KeefeCongressinspector-generaloversight-destructionvalentines-day-massacrepolitical-interferenceconstitutional-crisis-preparation+4 more
President Bill Clinton signs the Financial Services Modernization Act (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), formally repealing key provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act after two decades of systematic erosion. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Phil Gramm, Representative Jim Leach, and Representative Thomas …
Bill ClintonPhil GrammJim LeachThomas BlileyCongressgramm-leach-bliley-actglass-steagall-repealfinancial-deregulationclinton-administrationbipartisan-support
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 includes a federal “three strikes” provision mandating life imprisonment without possibility of parole for individuals convicted of a third violent felony or serious drug offense. Specifically, the law requires mandatory life …
Bill ClintonJoe BidenCongressmass-incarcerationcriminal-justicemandatory-minimumssentencing-reformlegislation
As the S&L crisis concludes with over 1,000 failed institutions, 1,000+ banker prosecutions, and $160 billion taxpayer cost, government reports and academic studies document clear lessons: deregulation without corresponding risk management enables fraud, moral hazard from deposit insurance …
President George H.W. Bush signs the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA), authorizing a $160.1 billion taxpayer bailout of the savings and loan industry—with $132 billion coming directly from taxpayers through higher taxes and fees. The legislation creates the …
George H.W. BushCongressResolution Trust CorporationFederal Deposit Insurance Corporations&l-crisisfirreabailouttaxpayersderegulation-failure+1 more
Congress passes the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, establishing a 100-to-1 sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses—imposing the same penalties for possession of 5 grams of crack cocaine as for 500 grams of powder cocaine. The legislation provided mandatory minimum …
Ronald ReaganCongressmass-incarcerationracial-justicewar-on-drugscriminal-justicesentencing-reform+1 more
On October 22, 1986, President Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the centerpiece of his second term domestic agenda. The legislation dramatically lowered the top individual income tax rate from 50% to 28% - the largest single drop in the history of the federal income tax - while reducing the …
Ronald ReaganCorporate lobbyistsSenate Finance CommitteeCongresstax-cutscorporate-lobbyingwealth-transferreaganomicsinequality+1 more
A federal jury convicts EPA official Rita Lavelle of perjury for lying to Congress about her handling of the $1.6 billion Superfund toxic waste cleanup program. Lavelle, who headed the Superfund division, is found guilty on four of five felony counts for false testimony regarding her knowledge that …
Rita LavelleEnvironmental Protection AgencyAerojet-General CorporationRonald ReaganCongressepaperjurysuperfundconflict-of-interestregulatory-capture+1 more
Anne Gorsuch Burford resigns as EPA Administrator after becoming the first cabinet-level official in American history held in contempt of Congress. Gorsuch had refused to turn over Superfund records related to a $1.6 billion hazardous waste cleanup program, citing executive privilege on …
Anne Gorsuch BurfordRonald ReaganCongressEnvironmental Protection AgencyNeil Gorsuchepaenvironmental-deregulationregulatory-capturecontempt-of-congresssuperfund+1 more
The national debt under President Reagan explodes from $997 billion in 1981 to $2.9 trillion by 1989, representing an increase of 186% and adding approximately $1.9 trillion in new debt during his eight-year presidency. Annual budget deficits average 4.0% of GDP during Reagan’s tenure, …
Ronald ReaganCongressOffice of Management and BudgetDepartment of Treasurydeficitnational-debtreaganomicsfiscal-policysupply-side-economics
President Ronald Reagan signs the Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA), enacting sweeping tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy and inaugurate the “supply-side economics” era. The legislation slashes the top marginal tax rate from 70% to 50% and the bottom rate from 14% to …
Ronald ReaganCongressJack KempWilliam Rothtax-cutsreaganomicssupply-side-economicswealth-inequalitytrickle-down+1 more
Reagan’s 1981 tax cuts create massive corporate tax loopholes through permissive depreciation rules and reduced rates, causing corporate tax revenue to plummet from 25% of federal revenue in the 1950s to just 6.2% by 1983. The tax law allows corporations to slash or erase tax obligations …
Ronald ReaganCorporate AmericaInternal Revenue ServiceCongresscorporate-taxestax-avoidanceloopholesreaganomicstax-policy