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
Department of Justice formally dropped immigration discrimination lawsuit against SpaceX alleging the company “routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying” for jobs. The dismissal with prejudice came as part of broader regulatory relief for Musk’s companies under Trump …
Department of JusticeElon MuskSpaceXTeslaconflict-of-interestenforcement-droppedmusk-benefitsregulatory-capture
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
Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News host John Roberts on February 21, 2025 that the Epstein client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review,” claiming it was a directive from President Trump. This statement was later contradicted by a July 2025 DOJ memo stating no client …
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
Hoan Ton-That, co-founder and CEO of controversial facial recognition startup Clearview AI, resigned from his position, stating “it is time for the next chapter in my life.” Ton-That said he would remain on as a board member but declined to comment on what specifically sparked his …
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
The Supreme Court heard critical arguments challenging President Trump’s authority to unilaterally federalize state National Guard units during the 2025 constitutional crisis. At least 23 Republican-led states support the deployment, while 22 Democratic-led states oppose it. The case centers …
Supreme CourtTrump AdministrationState GovernorsBrian SchwalbCalifornia Governor+1 morenational-guardconstitutional-crisisexecutive-powerseparation-of-powerslegal-challenge+1 more
A comprehensive strategic litigation framework is developed by the Constitutional Litigation Consortium, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and American Civil Liberties Union, focusing on coordinated legal challenges to administrative overreach. The strategy prioritizes state-level constitutional …
Constitutional Litigation ConsortiumElectronic Frontier FoundationAmerican Civil Liberties Unionlegal-strategysystemic-litigationconstitutional-defensecoordinated-legal-actioncivil-liberties+2 more
Major law firms and legal nonprofits establish a centralized pro bono coordination platform to support litigation against institutional overreach. Network includes 42 law firms, connecting 1,200+ attorneys with rapid response capabilities for constitutional defense.
Major Law Firms ConsortiumLegal Nonprofits AllianceConstitutional Defense Fundpro-bono-supportlegal-networksconstitutional-defense
National legal resistance network expands centralized pro bono support system in 2025, creating a coordinated mechanism for providing free legal representation. The ABA’s ‘Supporting Justice V’ report reveals over 75% of attorneys have provided pro bono service, highlighting a …
Legal Services CorporationABA Pro Bono CenterNational Lawyers Guildpro-bono-supportlegal-infrastructureconstitutional-defenselegal-resistance
Major law firms, legal nonprofits, and civil liberties organizations create a centralized, multi-organizational coordination platform to rapidly deploy pro bono legal resources for constitutional defense. Democracy 2025, a coalition of 650+ organizations, emerges as a key infrastructure, enabling …
Democracy 2025ACLUInstitute for JusticeNew Civil Liberties AllianceLawyers for Good Government+1 morepro-bono-supportlegal-coordinationcivil-liberties-defensedemocracy-protection
In response to Project 2025’s comprehensive policy proposals, major civil rights organizations launched a coordinated litigation and advocacy strategy to challenge potential executive overreach. The coalition, including the ACLU, Brennan Center, Lawyers for Civil Rights, and EarthJustice, …
Lawyers for Civil RightsBrennan CenterEarthJusticeACLUThe Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights+3 morepro-bono-supportlitigation-strategyconstitutional-defenseproject-2025-responsecivil-rights-litigation+2 more
Chief Justice John Roberts led a critical federal judicial conference highlighting unprecedented challenges to judicial independence. Roberts warned about four major threats: escalating violence against judges, intimidation tactics, disinformation spread through social media, and potential political …
Chief Justice John RobertsChief Judge James BoasbergFederal JudiciarySupreme CourtU.S. Marshals Servicejudicial-independenceconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersjudicial-securityrule-of-law
In a landmark series of cases, federal courts grappled with complex emoluments clause violations by the Trump administration. Multiple district and appellate courts issued conflicting rulings, exposing deep systemic challenges in holding executive branch officials accountable for foreign financial …
Federal JudiciaryTrump AdministrationDepartment of JusticeSupreme Courtconstitutional-crisisemolumentsjudicial-reviewseparation-of-powers
In February 2025, the Supreme Court and federal district courts reached a critical impasse over presidential emoluments enforcement. Following a pattern established in previous cases, the Court repeatedly declined to resolve substantive questions about Trump’s potential constitutional …
Supreme CourtFederal District CourtsTrump Administrationconstitutional-crisisemolumentsjudicial-reviewseparation-of-powerssupreme-court+1 more
Attorney General Pam Bondi announces the immediate closure of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, KleptoCapture Task Force, and related anti-corruption units. The decision redirects multi-billion dollar forfeiture funds previously returned to victim countries toward domestic detention …
Pam BondiDepartment of JusticeKleptocracy Asset Recovery InitiativeKleptoCapture Task ForceTransparency Internationalanti-corruptiondojkleptocracypolicy-reversaltrump-administration+1 more
On February 15, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the immediate closure of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative and KleptoCapture Task Force, representing a fundamental shift in DOJ enforcement priorities. The decision redirects resources from tracking international corruption and …
Pam BondiDepartment of JusticeKleptocracy Asset Recovery InitiativeKleptoCapture Task ForceTransparency Internationalanti-corruptiondojkleptocracypolicy-reversaltrump-administration+2 more
Russell Vought, acting CFPB director and Project 2025 author, orders CFPB offices to close and notifies staff they ‘cannot perform any work tasks,’ effectively shutting down agency that oversees consumer financial protections.
Russell VoughtCFPBTrump Administrationcfpbagency-eliminationconsumer-protectionregulatory-captureproject-2025
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
Attorney General Pam Bondi establishes ‘Weaponization Working Group’ as first priority after confirmation, tasked with investigating ‘activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority over the last four years.’ Bondi declares …
Pam BondiWeaponization Working GroupDepartment of JusticeTrump Administrationdoj-weaponizationpam-bondiweaponization-working-groupprosecutor-targetinginstitutional-capture+2 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
Trump administration systematically dismantles federal government’s public corruption investigation capabilities through coordinated personnel purges and case dismissals. Key actions include forcing dismissal of Eric Adams prosecution, with seven senior federal prosecutors resigning in protest …
Emil Bove (Acting Deputy Attorney General)Danielle Sassoon (Acting US Attorney, Southern District of NY)Hagan Scotten (Assistant US Attorney)Eric Adams (NYC Mayor)Dale Ho (Federal Judge)public-corruptiondoj-dismantlingsystematic-coordinationinstitutional-capturelaw-enforcement-capture+2 more
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
State Department procurement documents showed plans for a 400 million purchase of armored Tesla vehicles, dramatically expanding a smaller Biden-era EV plan. After media scrutiny, the State Department removed Tesla from documents and claimed the purchase was on hold with no plans to proceed.
State DepartmentTeslaElon Muskstate-departmentteslacybertruckgovernment-contractsmusk
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