President Trump issued an executive order creating Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) systems requiring federal agencies to establish centralized technological tracking for all contracts, grants, and expenditures, with mandatory written justification for each payment to increase transparency …
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationgovernment-contractsexecutive-orderadministrative-oversight
The Trump administration, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), began a comprehensive dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Key actions included firing most of its 1,700 employees, closing its Washington headquarters, and effectively …
Donald TrumpElon MuskLinda YaccarinoRussell VoughtElizabeth Warren+4 moreregulatory-capturetech-monopolyconsumer-protectionx-platformfinancial-services+1 more
Under President Trump, ICE made over 20,000 arrests in a single month - a 627% increase compared to just 33,000 at-large arrests for all of last year under Biden. This dramatic escalation marks the beginning of the administration’s mass deportation campaign.
Donald TrumpICEDHSKristi Noemenforcement-escalationstatistical-milestoneicemass-deportationimmigration-enforcement
Trump proposed a new “Gold Card” visa program granting residency and a path to citizenship for foreign investors—including Russian oligarchs he specifically mentioned—who pay $5 million
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationforeign-influencegovernment-contracts
Trump administration creates new category of ‘Special Government Employees’ allowing officials like Elon Musk to work simultaneously in government and private sectors, bypassing traditional ethics requirements. Musk can work up to 130 days per year while maintaining his roles at SpaceX …
Donald TrumpElon MuskDepartment of Government Efficiency (DOGE)kleptocracyregulatory-capturegovernment-efficiencyspecial-government-employees
The SEC closed its investigation into Robinhood’s crypto division on February 24, 2025, without taking any enforcement action. Robinhood Chief Legal Officer Dan Gallagher claimed the investigation ’never should have been opened,’ marking a significant moment in the Trump …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationDan GallagherRobinhood Crypto Divisioncryptoregulatory-capturetrump-administrationsecfintech
President Trump fires Joint Chiefs Chairman General Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Defense Secretary Hegseth subsequently dismisses Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti (first woman to lead the Navy), Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General James Slife, and the top military lawyers for Army, …
Donald TrumpPete HegsethGeneral Charles Q. Brown Jr.Admiral Lisa FranchettiGeneral James Slife+3 moremilitary-purgejoint-chiefsbrown-firingfranchetti-firingsystematic-politicization+2 more
Elon Musk is slashing jobs at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration—the federal agency that oversees auto safety and crash investigations, including those involving Tesla
Tom Krause, CEO of Cloud Software Group, which holds federal contracts worth up to $11.8 million, has been appointed the Treasury Department’s fiscal assistant secretary while retaining his private-sector role
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationregulatory-capturegovernment-contracts
The SEC agreed to drop its two-year lawsuit against Coinbase, marking a potential shift in the regulatory agency’s approach to cryptocurrency exchanges. Initially filed in June 2023, the lawsuit accused Coinbase of operating an unregistered securities exchange. The dismissal came after …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationGary GenslerSECCoinbase Global Inc.cryptoregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationsecfinancial-regulation
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the Trump administration permanently dismissed its enforcement action against Solo Funds, a fintech platform providing small-dollar loans. The lawsuit, originally filed in May 2024, alleged deceptive lending practices with loans potentially …
Donald TrumpRussell VoughtTravis HolowayLauren Saundersregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationfinancial-predationcfpb-transformation
Acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello, a 20-year ICE veteran, was removed from his position on February 21, 2025, after failing to meet deportation quotas of 3,000 daily arrests despite only achieving 1,200-1,400 per day. Vitello was reassigned to a senior enforcement role after just one month leading …
Caleb VitelloICEDonald TrumpDepartment of Homeland Securitypersonnel-purgesimpossible-quotasloyalty-testsdeportation-quotas
A lawyer at Interpublic Group received a call from X in December, suggesting the company boost client spending on Musk’s platform or risk potential government interference with their pending Omnicom merger. The call hinted at using the Trump administration’s influence to pressure the …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationElon MuskLinda YaccarinoInterpublic Groupgovernment-contractscorporate-coercionmedia-manipulation
After crypto company Consensys donated $100,000 to President Trump’s inaugural fund, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped a case pending against the firm.
ConsensysDonald TrumpSECcorruptionconsensysseccryptoregulatory-capture+2 more
The Trump administration fired hundreds of FAA air traffic control staff while bringing in three SpaceX engineers as Special Government Employees, raising significant regulatory capture concerns. These engineers were allowed to review air traffic control systems despite potential conflicts of …
Donald TrumpElon MuskSean DuffyBrady GlantzTheodore Malaska+1 morekleptocracyregulatory-capturetech-industryfaatrump-administration
On February 18, 2025, the official @WhiteHouse social media account posted a video titled “ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight” showing immigrants in shackles being transported on a deportation flight, with audio prominently featuring the sound of jingling chains being laid out on …
White HouseDonald Trumpdeporteeswhite-houseasmrdeportationtroll-culturedehumanization+2 more
Trump signed executive order “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies” requiring independent agencies like FTC, SEC, and FCC to submit regulations for White House review, effectively ending 90 years of agency independence and bringing them under direct presidential control.
Donald TrumpFTCSECFCCCFPB+1 moreindependent-agenciesexecutive-orderpolitical-controlagency-capture
Trump administration officials invoked the unitary executive theory to assert direct presidential control over Department of Justice prosecutorial decisions, reversing decades of DOJ independence norms. The administration cited the Supreme Court’s Trump v. United States immunity ruling, which …
Donald TrumpMichael C. DorfDepartment of JusticeHeritage Foundationexecutive-overreachdoj-politicizationconstitutional-crisisinstitutional-captureunitary-executive-theory+1 more
In a systematic move to dismantle transparency mechanisms, the Trump administration fired multiple members of the Office of Personnel Management’s privacy and communications teams, including those handling FOIA requests. This action effectively cut off external access to government information …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationElon MuskDepartment of Government Efficiency (DOGE)regulatory-capturegovernment-transparencyfoiatrump-administrationinformation-control
President Trump actively intervened in negotiations between PGA Tour and LIV Golf, hosting meetings with executives and claiming ability to broker a merger, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and personal business motivations
Donald TrumpJay MonahanYasir al-RumayyanPGA TourLIV Golfkleptocracyexecutive-influencetrump-business
President Donald Trump rebrands himself as the ‘crypto president’ through multiple cryptocurrency ventures, including World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a $TRUMP meme coin, and American Bitcoin, while also establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve through an executive order.
Donald TrumpEric TrumpDonald Trump Jr.Barron TrumpZach Witkoffcryptotrump-businessdigital-assetsexecutive-power
President Trump orchestrated the systematic removal of federal regulators investigating Elon Musk’s companies across multiple agencies. Officials fired included FDA staffers reviewing Neuralink’s clinical trials, EEOC leaders investigating Tesla discrimination claims, the NLRB Chair who …
Donald TrumpElon MuskFDA officialsEEOC officialsNLRB Chair+2 moreelon-muskregulatory-capturecorruptionteslaspacex+2 more
The Trump administration initiated a widespread purge of federal prosecutors, particularly those who previously investigated the president. Over 40 career prosecutors were fired without warning, with the acting attorney general claiming they could not be ’trusted to faithfully implement the …
James McHenryMichael Ben'AryJack SmithDonald TrumpDepartment of Justice+1 moredoj-weaponizationprosecutorial-independencetrump-administrationpolitical-retaliationrule-of-law+1 more
Acting Attorney General James McHenry systematically fired multiple Justice Department officials who worked on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Trump’s election interference and classified documents case. In termination letters, McHenry argued the officials could not be …
James McHenryDonald TrumpJack SmithJamie RaskinGerald Connollydoj-weaponizationprosecutorial-independencetrump-administrationretaliationrule-of-law+1 more
After Capitol One donated $1 million to President Trump’s inauguration fund, the Trump Administration ended a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) case against Capital One involving allegedly misleading consumers about interest payments.
Capital OneDonald TrumpCFPBcorruptioncapital-oneregulatory-capturecfpbinauguration-fund+1 more
Trump’s Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi has systematically dismantled federal efforts to fight public corruption by pausing investigations into corporate bribery, weakening the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and disbanding key enforcement units. Key actions …
Donald TrumpPam BondiTodd BlancheTrump Administrationcorruptionforeign-influenceregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationexecutive-power-abuse
President Trump fired key government officials overseeing ethics and whistleblower protections, including David Huitema (Office of Government Ethics), Hampton Dellinger (Office of Special Counsel), and Colleen Shogan (National Archivist). The removals were part of a broader effort to reshape federal …
Donald TrumpDavid HuitemaHampton DellingerColleen ShoganDoug Collinsethics-violationpersonnel-changeswhistleblower-protectionexecutive-power
Elon Musk met with Indian PM Narendra Modi in the White House hours before Modi’s official visit with Trump to discuss space, technology, and Starlink’s entry into India
In early 2025, Donald Trump successfully negotiated a series of lucrative settlements with major media and tech platforms, including a $24 million settlement with YouTube over account suspension, a $25 million settlement with Meta, a $10 million settlement with X (Twitter), a $15 million settlement …
Donald TrumpAlphabet Inc.GoogleYouTubeElon Musk+3 moremedia-controlregulatory-capturelawsuit-settlementssocial-medialegal-strategy+1 more
The Department of Justice announced plans to challenge the constitutional protections that prevent the president from arbitrarily firing leaders of independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSarah HarrisRichard DurbinNLRB Leadership+1 moreregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationconstitutional-crisisexecutive-power-expansion
The Trump White House announced it will continue its policy of not releasing visitor logs, effectively preventing public and press access to information about who is meeting with the president. This approach, first implemented during Trump’s first term and challenged by transparency advocates …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationTom BlantonNational Security Archiveregulatory-capturetransparencyexecutive-powergovernment-secrecy
President Trump signed a sweeping executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, which mandates massive federal workforce reductions. The order requires agencies to hire only one new employee for every four who depart, with exemptions for military, …
Donald TrumpElon MuskTrump Administrationkleptocracyworkforce-reductionexecutive-orderinstitutional-capturemusk-influence
Trump administration systematically stalled over 40 regulatory investigations into Musk’s companies across multiple federal agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board, SEC, FAA, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Strategic leadership removals and quorum eliminations …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationElon MuskFederal Regulatory Agenciesregulatory-capturecorporate-powertrump-administrationelon-musk
Russell Vought, as part of the Trump administration, ordered a complete work stoppage at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), effectively suspending all ongoing investigations, rule-making, and consumer protection activities. The order closed CFPB headquarters and directed employees to …
Donald TrumpRussell VoughtElizabeth Warrenregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationfinancial-regulationconsumer-protection
Trump administration explores consolidating banking regulators by potentially merging FDIC and OCC under Treasury Department, reducing regulatory workforce and oversight. Proposed changes include combining regulatory functions, transferring employees, and potentially eliminating independent banking …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationOffice of the Comptroller of the CurrencyFederal Deposit Insurance Corporationregulatory-capturetreasury-departmentbanking-regulationtrump-administration
In a systematic move to dismantle government oversight, Trump fired the heads of the Office of Government Ethics and Office of Special Counsel, undermining key anti-corruption safeguards and potentially exposing whistleblower information.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationDavid HuitemaHampton DellingerDoug Collins+1 morecorruptionethics-violationadministrative-captureoversight-removal
In an unprecedented move, Trump signed an executive order suspending enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which has banned US firms from bribing foreign officials since 1977. The order mandates a 180-day review of existing investigations and establishes new guidelines that could …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationWilliam BarrDepartment of Justicecorruptionforeign-influenceexecutive-orderanti-corruptioncorporate-accountability
President Trump issued a series of pardons to individuals convicted of financial crimes in February 2025, including Rod Blagojevich (former Illinois governor convicted of corruption), the Chrisleys (reality TV stars convicted of bank fraud), Michael Grimm (former congressman convicted of tax fraud), …
Donald TrumpRod BlagojevichTodd ChrisleyJulie ChrisleyMichael Grimm+5 morepardonfinancial-crimeswhite-collar-crimemoney-launderingwire-fraud+4 more
President Trump issued an executive order on February 10, 2025, pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement for 180 days. The order directs the Department of Justice to halt all new FCPA investigations and review existing enforcement guidelines, effectively suspending investigations …
Donald TrumpPamela BondiDepartment of JusticeSecurities and Exchange CommissionU.S. corporationsdojexecutive-orderfcpaforeign-briberycorruption+4 more
By February 2025, Stephen Miller had consolidated power to an extent unprecedented for a White House deputy chief of staff, earning the nickname “the prime minister” in Trump circles due to his sprawling influence over virtually all administration activities. Miller meets daily with …
Stephen MillerDonald TrumpSusie WilesStephen MillerWhite House PowerWhite NationalismAuthoritarian Consolidation
Early $TRUMP cryptocurrency insiders made millions of dollars, and Trump and his family pocketed nearly $100 million in fees, while over 800,000 investors lost a combined $2 billion
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptogovernment-contracts
President Trump executed a coordinated mass firing of approximately 17 inspectors general across federal agencies on February 7, 2025, in an unprecedented action that effectively dismantled critical government oversight mechanisms. The purge targeted inspectors general conducting sensitive …
Donald TrumpElon MuskRobert StorchPhyllis FongSergio Gor+4 morekleptocracyoversight-obstructioninspector-general-purgeinstitutional-capturegovernment-accountability+2 more
Trump Media & Technology Group awarded $800,000 in stock to Kash Patel on January 28, 2025, just days before his Senate confirmation hearing for FBI director. Patel claimed he would not accept the stock ’to avoid any appearance of conflict’, but the award raised significant ethical …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationKash PatelDonald Trump Jr.Linda McMahonmedia-controlcorporate-captureethical-violationstrump-administration
Troy Meink, Trump’s Air Force Secretary nominee, allegedly structured a multibillion-dollar
National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite contract to favor Musk’s SpaceX, according
to Reuters investigation. Democratic senators Warren and Duckworth raised concerns
about potential quid pro …
President Trump fired Hampton Dellinger from his position as head of the Office of Special Counsel via email on Friday night, February 7, 2025, stating simply “your position…is terminated, effective immediately.” Dellinger immediately sued, arguing his removal violated statutory …
Donald TrumpHampton Dellinger (Special Counsel)Office of Special Counsel (OSC)Judge Amy Berman JacksonU.S. Senate (confirmed Dellinger 2024)courtspersonnelwatchdogswhistleblower-protectionfor-cause-removal+2 more
Kash Patel, a prominent Trump administration figure, disclosed holding between $1 million and $5 million in stock from Elite Depot Limited, the parent company of Shein, a Chinese corporation facing bipartisan criticism for alleged use of forced labor. Senator Adam Schiff demanded a comprehensive …
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued memorandums directing the DOJ to limit Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) prosecutions to traditional espionage cases, effectively decriminalizing many forms of foreign financial influence and disbanding the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force.
Pam BondiDonald TrumpTrump AdministrationDOJ National Security Divisionforeign-influenceregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationinstitutional-transformation