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
The White House blocked AP reporters from pooled access on Feb. 11 amid a naming dispute over the Gulf of Mexico (“Gulf of America”), with administration stating it has the right to punish AP reporters. On Apr. 8, a federal district court ordered access restored, finding viewpoint …
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
Elon Musk launched a strategic recruitment campaign targeting engineers from Palantir and SpaceX networks through Discord servers and online chat groups, seeking to build a team to cut federal spending by one-third. The recruitment effort focused on finding ‘hardcore engineers’ willing …
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to cut EPA workforce by approximately 23% and reduce the agency’s budget by 65%, representing the most aggressive environmental deregulation in agency history. The cuts would return EPA staffing to Reagan-era levels, eliminating scientific research …
lee-zeldinEPAjbsEnvironmental Protection Agencylee-zeldinepaenvironmental-destructionworkforce-cutsclimate-denial+3 more
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
Russell Vought (OMB Director/Acting CFPB Director) ordered CFPB headquarters shuttered Feb 9-10, told 1,700 staff to stay home and “cannot perform any work tasks.” Ordered stop to proposed rules, investigations. Plans 95% workforce reduction (1,700 to 200). August appeals court lifted …
Russell VoughtCFPBRohit Chopra (fired director)consumer-protectionagency-shutdownproject-2025financial-regulation
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees were ordered to “stand down from performing any work task” as headquarters was shuttered through February 14. Acting Director Russell Vought and chief legal officer Mark Paoletta halted all CFPB operations unless specifically cleared, …
Russell VoughtMark PaolettaGavin KligerDOGECFPBcfpbconsumer-protectionagency-shutdowndogemass-layoffs
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
Trump’s FBI director nominee Kash Patel received a $25,000 payment from Igor Lopatonok’s Global Tree Pictures for a documentary project, raising serious concerns about foreign influence and conflicts of interest. Lopatonok, a Russian national with documented Kremlin connections, has …
Kash PatelIgor LopatonokGlobal Tree PicturesFBITucker Carlson Network+1 morefbikremlinforeign-paymentsrussiaforeign-influence+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 disbanded Task Force KleptoCapture, the DOJ unit created in 2022 to investigate and prosecute Russian oligarchs for sanctions violations. The task force had seized yachts and brought indictments against Deripaska and Malofeyev before being shut down.
Pam BondiDepartment of JusticeTask Force KleptoCaptureRussian Oligarchsrussiaoligarchsjustice-departmentsanctionsmoney-laundering
Russell Vought, who authored Project 2025’s chapter on restructuring Executive Office and expanding presidential power, was confirmed as OMB Director on February 6, 2025 by a 53-47 Senate vote. He now implements the exact recommendations he wrote, including using the budget agency to withhold …
Russell VoughtOMBTrump Administrationombproject-2025executive-powerpersonnel-appointmentsblueprint-implementation
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
On February 5, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the immediate dissolution of the KleptoCapture Task Force, a critical anti-corruption initiative established in 2022 to enforce sanctions on Russian oligarchs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The shutdown marks a significant …
Pam BondiDonald TrumpMerrick GarlandGary KalmanAaron Zelinsky+2 moreinstitutional-captureanti-corruptionkleptocracysanctionsrussia+2 more
Following a deadly midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and a NOTAM system outage, Elon Musk proposed implementing rapid safety upgrades to the FAA’s air traffic control system via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Starlink technology, raising …
Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a memorandum and President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice to pause FCPA enforcement for 180 days, prioritizing cases involving cartels and transnational criminal organizations while reviewing existing investigations. The pause …
Pamela BondiDonald TrumpDepartment of JusticeU.S. Corporationsfcpaforeign-briberypam-bondicorruption-enabling
World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance project linked to Trump’s family, strategically acquired approximately $55 million worth of Ether (ETH) following market disruptions caused by Trump’s brief tariff imposition on Mexico and Canada. This purchase was part of a larger pattern …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationWorld Liberty Financialcryptogovernment-contractsmarket-manipulationtrump-business
Trump implements 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, 10% on China effective February 4, 2025, with plans for universal 10% tariffs. Senate Democrats later call for SEC investigation after Trump posts “GREAT TIME TO BUY” before announcing tariff pause in April, raising his net worth by $415 …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSenate DemocratsChuck SchumerElizabeth Warren+2 moretariffsmarket-manipulationinsider-tradingsecond-administrationregulatory-capture
A 25-year-old engineer, Marko Elez, with ties to Elon Musk’s SpaceX and X, was granted administrator-level access to the US Treasury Department’s critical $5 trillion payment systems, raising significant concerns about institutional security and potential regulatory capture.
Marko ElezElon MuskDonald TrumpTrump Administrationregulatory-capturetech-infiltrationinstitutional-securitypayment-systems
Marko Elez, a 25-year-old engineer linked to Elon Musk, was granted administrative privileges including ability to write code for Treasury Department’s Payment Automation Manager (PAM) and Secure Payments System (SPS) that handle $6 trillion annually in Social Security, Medicare, and …
Marko ElezElon MuskScott BessentDavid LebrykDonald Trump+1 moretreasurypayment-systemdogemusksecurity-breach+2 more
Within first two weeks of Trump’s term, administration removed over 8,000 web pages from 12+ government websites including EPA removing “Climate Change” from homepage navigation and EJScreen environmental justice tool. NOAA climate data also targeted. 70% more changes than first …
Trump AdministrationEPANOAACDCEnvironmental Data and Governance Initiativeclimate-scienceinformation-suppressionwebsite-removalenvironmental-justice
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins announces elimination of 72,000 VA jobs - 15% of workforce - claiming ’no cuts to benefits’ while targeting medical staff, claims processors, and mental health counselors serving 9 million veterans. ProPublica and PBS investigations reveal …
doug-collinsdepartment-of-veterans-affairsva-employeesveteransdoug-collinsveterans-affairsva-cutshealthcare-cutsworkforce-reduction+2 more
President Trump fired Rohit Chopra, the CFPB director appointed during the Biden administration, removing a key consumer protection advocate. Trump appointed Scott Bessent as acting director, signaling a significant shift in the agency’s leadership and approach to financial regulation.
Donald TrumpRohit ChopraScott Bessentregulatory-captureexecutive-powerfinancial-regulation
Trump administration implements Project 2025’s Schedule F recommendation, rebranded as ‘Schedule Policy/Career,’ identifying approximately 50,000 federal positions for reclassification from career civil servants to political appointees screened for ideological loyalty. This move …
Donald TrumpRussell VoughtRussell PekalaHeritage Foundationschedule-fcivil-servicepolitical-loyaltyadministrative-stateproject-2025+1 more
Trump administration implements Project 2025’s Schedule F recommendation, rebranded as “Schedule Policy/Career,” identifying 50,000 federal positions for reclassification from career civil servants to political appointees screened for ideological loyalty.
Donald TrumpRussell VoughtFederal Workforceschedule-fcivil-servicepolitical-loyaltyadministrative-state
Over 70 Trump administration officials and nominees reported cryptocurrency holdings totaling at least $193 million, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disclosing $250,000-$500,000 in digital assets before divesting to avoid conflicts of interest.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration faces 27% budget cut with Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research effectively eliminated, dismantling climate science infrastructure and weather forecasting capabilities.
Elon Musk’s companies have received $38 billion in total government support over 20 years including $18 billion in federal contracts over past decade, while Musk co-directs Department of Government Efficiency with authority over federal spending.
Administration deployed what agency staff call ‘MAGA commissars’ - young Trump loyalists placed throughout federal agencies to monitor compliance with administration directives and screen remaining career staff for political reliability. These individuals, often without specific agency …
White House Personnel OfficeFederal AgenciesOffice of Personnel Management (OPM)political-controlfederal-workforceloyalty-monitoringcommissarspersonnel-screening+1 more
Loyalty testing regime implemented requiring federal job applicants to write essays explaining how they’d advance Trump’s executive orders, with social media screening for MAGA support becoming standard hiring practice.
OPMWhite House Personnel Officefederal-workforceloyalty-testspolitical-screeninghiring-practices
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, founder of Liberty Energy, owns $54 million in company stock and received $1 million performance bonus from Liberty after taking office, while department reverses climate policies benefiting his former industry.
Chris WrightLiberty EnergyDepartment of Energyconflict-of-interestenergy-policyfrackingregulatory-captureself-dealing
Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights division slashed from 550 to approximately 243 employees, leaving only 5 civil rights offices nationwide. Officials described this as making discrimination complaint resolution “virtually impossible.” Cuts part of Russell …
Department of EducationRussell Vought (OMB Director)Office for Civil Rightscivil-rightseducationinstitutional-destructiondiscriminationworkforce-reduction+2 more
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel gave a “green light to would-be lawbreakers” by gutting the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and folding one of the FBI’s public corruption squads. Democrats warned that DOJ’s refusal to enforce …
Pam BondiKash PatelDepartment of JusticeFBIpam-bondicorruptionlaw-enforcementdojregulatory-capture+3 more
Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary worth $3.1 billion, faces 106 potential conflicts of interest requiring recusal - the most of any cabinet member ever tracked by government watchdog groups. Transferred control of Cantor Fitzgerald to 27-year-old son while maintaining family financial interests.
Howard LutnickDepartment of CommerceCantor Fitzgeraldconflict-of-interestcabinet-wealthethics-violationregulatory-capture
Campaign Legal Center identifies 467 potential conflicts of interest requiring recusal across Trump appointees, compared to minimal conflicts in previous administrations, with ethics experts describing this as potentially ending government accountability.
Trump administration dismantled 35-year-old U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) end of January 2025. Federal employees removed Tuesday, ICF International contract severed. Nearly 400 scientists informed Monday their services no longer needed for National Climate Assessment. Project …
U.S. Global Change Research ProgramWhite HouseRuss VoughtDavid LegatesElon Musk (DOGE)+1 moreclimatescientific-researchprogram-eliminationclimate-science
The Swiss National Bank, Switzerland’s central bank majority owned by public entities,
purchased 111,300 shares of Trump Media & Technology Group valued at $1.78 million
during Q3 2024, according to SEC disclosures. By February 2025, the bank’s holdings
increased to 157,500 shares …
Swiss National BankDonald TrumpDonald Trump Jr.Trump Media & Technology GroupZürcher Kantonalbankemolumentsforeign-influenceconflict-of-interesttruth-socialconstitutional-crisis
Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov held a 1% stake in SpaceX through Delaware-based Heritage Trust for four years while under U.S. sanctions (2018-2022), with the stake acquired in 2017 before sanctions and disposed of before the trust was blocked in June 2022.
Bloomberg and other outlets reported Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov held approximately 1% of SpaceX through Delaware’s Heritage Trust, managed by Citigroup, from 2017 until disposal before Treasury blocked the trust in 2022. The stake was acquired pre-sanctions but retained for years after …