In response to increased political pressure on nonprofits, a comprehensive legal defense initiative was launched to provide strategic litigation support, with multiple organizations creating defense funds totaling over $65 million. The Democracy 2025 coalition, comprising 280+ organizations and 800+ …
Democracy ForwardLawyers for Good GovernmentMacArthur FoundationKenneth Rainin FoundationMeyer Foundation+9 morefundinglegal-networkspro-bono-supportconstitutional-defensenonprofit-resistance+3 more
State attorneys general convened a national summit to develop coordinated multi-state litigation strategies in response to shifting federal enforcement priorities. The summit focused on strategic coordination in areas like financial services, technology regulation, consumer protection, and privacy …
National Association of Attorneys GeneralState Attorney General NetworksCivil Liberties OrganizationsConstitutional Litigation Expertscoordinated-litigationlegal-strategymulti-state-legal-actionstate-attorneys-generalregulatory-enforcement
Department of Government Efficiency attempted to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau through mass firings, but federal judges blocked the action and ordered reinstatement
of workers. The attempted dismantling affected 1,500 CFPB employees before court intervention.
Multiple judges …
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)CFPBDonald TrumpTrump AdministrationFederal judgesregulatory-captureagency-dismantlingcourt-interventionworker-rights
Multiple pro bono legal networks emerged in 2025, including the Pro Bono Litigation Corps (PBLC) by Lawyers for Good Government, the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network by We The Action, and the Nonprofit Legal Defense Network. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive legal support for …
Lawyers for Good GovernmentWe The ActionAlliance for JusticePro Bono Litigation Corpspro-bono-supportlegal-defenseconstitutional-protectioncollaborative-legal-responsefederal-workers-rights
In response to mounting challenges to constitutional governance, leading constitutional law experts create a centralized war room to develop rapid response strategies for potential institutional capture and constitutional violations. The initiative, involving a coalition of over 280 legal …
Constitutional Law ExpertsStrategic Litigation TeamLegal Research ConsortiumDemocracy 2025Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG)+1 morelegal-strategyconstitutional-defenserapid-responsedemocracy-protectionstrategic-litigation
International civil society organization CIVICUS Monitor places United States on watchlist due to rapid degradation of democratic guardrails, marking first time U.S. appears on international democracy concern list.
Amazon agreed to pay $40 million for a documentary and limited series about Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner. The deal, far above market rates for similar content, came after Jeff Bezos met with Trump and as Amazon faced multiple federal investigations. The documentary, with Melania as an …
AmazonJeff BezosMelania TrumpDonald TrumpBrett Ratneramazonjeff-bezosmelania-trumpbriberyquid-pro-quo+4 more
CIVICUS Monitor’s comprehensive report documents systematic decline in U.S. civic freedoms including freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression, warning that democratic institutions are under severe threat.
CIVICUS MonitorUnited StatesInternational civil society organizationsdemocracy-degradationcivic-freedomsinternational-assessmentcivil-libertiesfreedom-decline
Wealthy Chinese investors have secretly used special-purpose vehicles to invest over $30 million in Elon Musk’s private companies, including SpaceX, xAI, and Neuralink. These investments are routed through Cayman Islands-registered entities to obscure direct ownership, raising significant …
Madison Sheahan, a 28-year-old former aide to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with no law enforcement experience, was appointed ICE Deputy Director on March 9, 2025. Federal law requires the ICE Director to have “a minimum of 5 years professional experience in law enforcement, and a minimum of 5 …
Madison SheahanKristi NoemICEDepartment of Homeland Securityillegal-appointmentsqualifications-violationpoliticizationfederal-law-violation
The Justice Department fired Adam Cohen, director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, continuing the Trump administration’s pattern of sidelining career civil servants. The dismissal occurred shortly after the DOJ announced a reorganization combining the task force with the …
Donald TrumpAdam CohenTodd Blancheregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationcivil-service-purge
SpaceX confirmed a loan agreement with L3Harris to provide Starlink satellite communication terminals to the FAA for infrastructure testing, specifically in Alaska. The agreement involves providing 4,000 Starlink kits free of charge for an initial evaluation period, raising potential conflict of …
The FCC granted SpaceX’s Starlink a conditional waiver to operate a high-power direct-to-cell satellite service with T-Mobile at -110.6 dBW/m²/MHz, a 770% power increase. Despite strong objections from AT&T and Verizon about potential network interference, the FCC approved the service with …
Starlink has secured contracts and deployed internet infrastructure across multiple federal agencies, including the FAA, GSA, and Customs and Border Protection. The rapid adoption has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given Musk’s close ties to the Trump …
Cryptocurrency Tether went from target of government scrutiny to ally of Trump; it’s backed by Commerce Secretary Lutnick and now holds $140 billion in US Treasury bonds—making it the 17th-largest holder of US debt
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturegovernment-contracts
Challenger, Gray & Christmas data revealed 62,530 federal workers dismissed in first two months of 2025 - a 41,311% increase over 2024. Government layoffs accounted for most job cuts, driven by DOGE’s unprecedented federal workforce reduction targeting 75% cuts across 27 agencies. March …
White House issued March 5 ethics waiver allowing David Sacks to shape crypto policy despite remaining financial interests in digital assets through Craft Ventures. Despite selling $200M in liquid crypto holdings, Sacks retained stakes in BitGo and Lightning Labs. Warren questioned the conflict as …
David SacksWhite HouseDavid Warrington (White House Counsel)Sen. Elizabeth WarrenCraft Ventures+1 morecryptoethics-waiverconflict-of-interestregulatory-capture
Elon Musk’s America PAC launched a nationwide $1 million television advertisement praising President Donald Trump’s early presidency, aired following Trump’s joint address to Congress. The ad attacks the Biden administration, highlights Trump’s border and efficiency claims, …
Donald TrumpElon MuskAmerica PACpolitical-advertisingtrump-administrationelection-infrastructurecampaign-finance
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) demanded $4 million from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to fund 20 full-time positions tasked with implementing widespread federal workforce reductions. OPM was required to submit Reduction in Force (RIF) plans targeting approximately 70,000 …
Elon MuskDonald TrumpTrump AdministrationOffice of Personnel Managementgovernment-contractsworkforce-reductionregulatory-capturefederal-employment
The Trump administration effectively paralyzed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in March 2025, freezing hundreds of millions in consumer protection payouts and halting dozens of ongoing corporate investigations. Under Acting Director Russell Vought, the agency’s headquarters was …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationRussell Voughtregulatory-capturegovernment-contractsconsumer-protectionfinancial-regulation
President Trump signed an executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, committing the U.S. government to stockpile Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. The reserve will be capitalized through forfeited assets and aims to position the U.S. as a global leader in cryptocurrency …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationTreasury DepartmentU.S. Department of Commercecryptostrategic-reservedigital-assetstrump-administration
Financial Times analysis finds Trump’s crypto projects netted $350 million through March 2025, with $314 million from direct sales and $36 million in fees, while roughly half of top TRUMP holders received coins from exchanges rejecting U.S. customers.
Donald TrumpWorld Liberty FinancialCIC Digital LLCcryptorevenueforeign-investmentfinancial-disclosure
SEC offered $50,000 buyouts to staff members while they were investigating Elon Musk, creating pressure to leave during active enforcement actions against the DOGE co-director’s companies. Lead attorney Robin Andrews resigned April 2025, calling it “heartbreaking” amid concerns …
An in-depth analysis reveals that over 70% of Trump’s cabinet members have direct connections to the Project 2025 blueprint, with more than 50 high-level officials from the project strategically placed in key government roles. Notable appointees include Brendan Carr (FCC Chairman), Tom Homan …
A comprehensive analysis reveals that over 70% of Trump’s cabinet has direct connections to Project 2025, with at least 31 individuals from the Heritage Foundation-backed initiative securing high-level government positions. Key appointments include Russell Vought (OMB Director), Tom Homan …
Brendan CarrTom HomanLinda McMahonKaroline LeavittRussell Vought+2 moreproject-2025-networkcabinet-appointmentsheritage-pipelinegovernment-captureheritage-foundation+1 more
Portugal election interference investigation by Cyabra found 58% of social media accounts supporting far-right parties were fake profiles. Discovery demonstrates global scale of social media manipulation in democratic elections, with coordinated bot networks amplifying extremist political messages. …
Cyabra (investigator)Far-right Portuguese partiesFake account networksRussian disinformation operationssocial-media-manipulationfake-accountselection-interferencefar-rightdisinformation+2 more
HBO’s “The Dark Money Game” by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney exposed systematic corruption through FBI wiretaps of officials saying “it’s good now because of Citizens United.” Documentary series revealed how untraceable funding enables institutional …
Alex Gibney (filmmaker)HBOFBIUnnamed officials (wiretapped)dark-moneycitizens-uniteddocumentarycorruption-exposedastroturfing+2 more
In May 2025, the Trump administration implemented a controversial ‘Merit Hiring Plan’ requiring federal job applicants at GS-5 and above to write essays about Trump’s policies. Applicants must describe how they would advance specific executive orders, effectively creating an ideological screening …
Federal job candidates required to confirm January 6 was an ‘inside job’ and 2020 election was ‘stolen,’ with social media screening for MAGA loyalty indicators and campaign participation required for new hires.
FAA approves 4,000 Starlink terminals worth $400 million despite existing contract with another company, while State Department announces $400 million Tesla Cybertruck contract and Commerce changes broadband requirements favoring Starlink.
FAAStarlinkTeslaState DepartmentDepartment of Commerceself-dealingstarlinkgovernment-contractsmuskregulatory-capture
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announces 31 historic deregulation actions in “the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history,” including reconsidering the 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding. Chemical industry veterans Nancy Beck (American Chemistry Council) …
Lee ZeldinNancy BeckLynn DeklevaEPAAmerican Chemistry Councilepaderegulationchemical-safetyregulatory-captureenvironmental-rollback
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick overhauled the $42.5B BEAD broadband program to adopt “tech-neutral approach” allowing satellite providers like Starlink to receive $10-20B instead of expected $4.1B, while directing staff to “increase satellite usage regardless of other …
Howard LutnickDepartment of CommerceElon MuskStarlinkconflict-of-interestregulatory-capturestarlinkbroadbandmusk-benefits
Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund MGX committed $2 billion to Trump’s World Liberty Financial stablecoin project, representing massive foreign government investment in sitting president’s business.
Abu Dhabi MGXWorld Liberty FinancialDonald Trumpcryptoforeign-investmentemolumentssovereign-wealth
President Trump missed the February 19 deadline to disclose private donors for his presidential transition, breaking a long-standing transparency practice. By declining federal funding of $19.4 million, Trump avoided requirements to cap donations at $5,000 per person and publicly list donor details.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSusie WilesGeneral Services Administrationregulatory-captureexecutive-powercampaign-financetransparency
SEC put fraud case against crypto mogul Justin Sun on hold after he invested $75 million in Trump’s World Liberty Financial project. Original lawsuit charged Sun with selling unregistered securities and market manipulation of Tronix token. Trump family reportedly earned up to $56 million (75% …
SECJustin SunWorld Liberty Financialcryptoenforcement-droppedforeign-influencequid-pro-quo
Leading international democracy monitoring organizations including Freedom House, V-Dem Institute, and International IDEA issue coordinated warnings about rapid U.S. democratic deterioration, citing executive overreach, judicial capture, and civic space restrictions. The Global State of Democracy …
Freedom HouseV-Dem InstituteInternational IDEAVarieties of Democracy ProjectUnited Statesdemocracy-crisisinternational-monitoringdemocratic-backslidingglobal-assessmentcoordinated-warning
The Trump administration staged a theatrical “Phase 1” release on February 27, 2025, inviting right-wing influencers to the White House to receive binders, though these contained mostly previously leaked materials rather than new revelations.
The SEC moved to pause its civil fraud case against cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, a key adviser to Trump’s World Liberty Financial, signaling a potential negotiated resolution. Sun, who invested at least $75 million in Trump-linked crypto assets, appears to have secured a temporary …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationJustin SunSECcryptocorruptionregulatory-capturegovernment-contractssec+1 more
The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance announced that meme coins, including Trump’s $TRUMP token, are classified as ‘collectibles’ and not subject to federal securities laws, creating a significant regulatory precedent in cryptocurrency classification.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSECSEC Division of Corporation Financecryptoregulatory-capturefinancial-innovationtrump-tokens
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2024 Democracy Index revealed a historic low global democracy score of 5.17 (on a 0-10 scale), indicating a significant decline in democratic health worldwide. The report showed that 130 of 167 countries experienced democratic erosion, with 39.2% of the …
Economist Intelligence UnitGlobal Democracy ResearchersInternational Political Analystsdemocracy-indexglobal-declineauthoritarianismdemocratic-backslidingpolitical-trends
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), under acting director Russell Vought, abruptly dropped five significant lawsuits, including a $2 billion case against Capital One. The dismissals, which came during Jonathan McKernan’s Senate confirmation hearing, represent an unprecedented …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationRussell VoughtJonathan McKernanCapital One+4 moreregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationfinancial-captureproject-2025
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
FAA approved shipment of 4,000 Starlink terminals and ordered staff to find “tens of millions of dollars” for Starlink deal while considering canceling $2.4B Verizon contract for air traffic control communications. Creates conflict as DOGE leader Musk oversees federal spending cuts while …
On February 25, 2025, Axon Enterprise reported 2024 annual revenue of $2.1 billion, representing 33% year-over-year growth and marking the company’s third consecutive year exceeding 30% revenue expansion. The financial results demonstrated the extraordinary profitability of Axon’s …
AxonRick Smithaxonrevenuesubscription-modelevidence-commarket-dominance+2 more