President Trump issued comprehensive federal pardons to 77 individuals involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, including his former attorney Rudy Giuliani, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, attorneys Sidney Powell, John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, Jeffrey …
Donald TrumpRudy GiulianiMark MeadowsSidney PowellJohn Eastman+12 morepardons2020-electionaccountabilityfake-electorsinstitutional-capture+4 more
On November 6, 2025, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued a devastating preliminary injunction against Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and federal immigration enforcement agents in Chicago, explicitly finding that Bovino “admitted that he lied” about the October 23, 2025 tear gas …
Judge Sara EllisGregory BovinoDepartment of Homeland SecurityCustoms and Border Protection (CBP)Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)+3 moregregory-bovinojudge-sara-ellisjudicial-rebukeperjuryconstitutional-violations+7 more
On July 12, 2025, five days after the Department of Justice released a memo stating no Jeffrey Epstein “client list” existed—contradicting Attorney General Pam Bondi’s February claim that the list was “sitting on my desk”—President Donald Trump attacked his own …
Donald TrumpTucker CarlsonLaura LoomerMarjorie Taylor GreeneThomas Massie+4 moredonald-trumpjeffrey-epsteintransparencytucker-carlsonlaura-loomer+6 more
Representative Ken Calvert, chairman of the House defense appropriations subcommittee, disclosed that General Dynamics’ Virginia-class submarine program faced a projected $17 billion cost overrun through 2030, increasing the program’s total cost from $184 billion and delaying submarine …
General DynamicsHuntington Ingalls IndustriesKen CalvertCarlos Del ToroNavydefense-contractorscost-overrunssubmarinesgeneral-dynamicspentagon+1 more
Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for acts within their “core constitutional powers,” presumptive immunity for “official acts” within the outer perimeter of their responsibilities, and no immunity for unofficial acts. …
Supreme CourtChief Justice John RobertsJustice Clarence ThomasJustice Samuel AlitoJustice Neil Gorsuch+9 moresupreme-courtjudicial-capturepresidential-powerrule-of-lawauthoritarian-consolidation+2 more
A Manhattan jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, making him the first former or sitting U.S. president to be convicted of crimes in American history. The unanimous verdict, delivered after less than two days of deliberation, …
Donald TrumpJuan MerchanAlvin Braggcriminal-convictionguilty-verdicthush-moneyaccountabilityhistoric
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer and self-described “fixer,” took the witness stand and delivered devastating testimony that Trump personally directed the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels and approved the scheme to disguise Cohen’s …
Michael CohenDonald TrumpAllen WeisselbergJuan Merchancriminal-trialtestimonyhush-moneyaccountability
Adult film actress Stormy Daniels took the witness stand in Donald Trump’s criminal trial and delivered graphic, detailed testimony about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump that she said led to the $130,000 hush money payment at the center of the case. Her testimony offered jurors a vivid …
The first criminal trial of a former U.S. president in American history began in Manhattan Criminal Court as jury selection commenced in the prosecution of Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Judge Juan Merchan presided over the historic proceedings as prosecutors from …
Donald TrumpJuan MerchanAlvin BraggTodd BlancheSusan Nechelescriminal-trialjury-selectionhush-moneyaccountability
Former President Donald Trump voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was booked, fingerprinted, and photographed in what became the first police mugshot of a U.S. president in American history. The booking photograph, showing Trump glowering at …
Donald TrumpFani Williscriminal-indictmentmugshotgeorgiaaccountability
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced a sweeping 98-page indictment charging former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants with violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 presidential election results …
Donald TrumpFani WillisRudy GiulianiMark MeadowsJohn Eastman+3 morecriminal-indictmentgeorgiaricoelection-fraudfake-electors+1 more
Special Counsel Jack Smith announced a federal grand jury indictment of former President Donald Trump on four criminal counts related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The indictment marked the most serious criminal charges …
Donald TrumpJack SmithMike PenceRudy GiulianiJohn Eastman+2 morecriminal-indictmentjanuary-6election-fraudfake-electorsconspiracy+1 more
On April 12, 2023, Yemeni civilians filed a lawsuit against Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and General Dynamics—three of the five largest US defense contractors—alleging that the companies supported war crimes by selling weapons to the Saudi Arabia and UAE-led coalition forces during the Yemen civil …
RaytheonLockheed MartinGeneral DynamicsYemeni civiliansSaudi Arabiaraytheonlockheed-martingeneral-dynamicsyemen-warlawsuit+2 more
Former President Donald Trump surrendered to Manhattan authorities and appeared in criminal court for arraignment on 34 felony counts, marking the first time in American history that a former or sitting president faced criminal charges in court. Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts and was …
Donald TrumpJuan MerchanAlvin Braggcriminal-indictmentarraignmenthush-moneyaccountability
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced a historic grand jury indictment of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. The charges related to a scheme to suppress damaging information about Trump during the 2016 presidential …
Donald TrumpAlvin BraggMichael CohenStormy Danielscriminal-indictmenthush-moneyfalsifying-business-recordsstormy-danielsaccountability
Ghislaine Maxwell is convicted on five of six federal charges including sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy, in connection with Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse network. The trial revealed extensive details about the systematic recruitment and abuse of minors, but many documents and witness …
Ghislaine MaxwellAlison NathanSouthern District of New YorkFBIsex-traffickingfederal-prosecutionaccountabilitytransparency-limitationssealed-documents
On December 16, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon overturned the controversial bankruptcy settlement that would have granted the Sackler family immunity from opioid-related lawsuits in exchange for $4.5 billion. Judge McMahon ruled that bankruptcy courts do not have the authority to …
Colleen McMahonSackler FamilyPurdue PharmaU.S. Department of Justiceopioid-crisisbankruptcy-lawjudicial-oversightaccountabilitylegal-precedent
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel released a comprehensive investigative report documenting that 13 senior Trump administration officials violated the Hatch Act prior to the 2020 election, with the violations characterized as demonstrating “willful disregard for the law” and occurring …
Mike PompeoChad WolfKellyanne ConwayJared KushnerKayleigh McEnany+8 morehatch actethics violationsrepublican national conventiontrump administrationrule of law+1 more
On October 18, 2021, NPR published comprehensive reporting documenting how hedge fund ownership of local newspapers creates “news deserts” that cause measurable harm to democratic governance and civic life. The investigation revealed that since 2005, 2,500 newspapers have closed in the …
Alden Global CapitalLocal NewspapersHedge FundsCommunitiesUniversity of North Carolina Researchersnews-desertshedge-fund-predationnewspaper-collapselocal-journalismdemocracy+3 more
On September 15, 2021, Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and Maggie Nichols delivered powerful testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the FBI’s catastrophic mishandling of sexual abuse allegations against Larry Nassar. The athletes’ testimony …
Simone BilesMcKayla MaroneyAly RaismanMaggie NicholsChristopher Wray+5 morecongressional-testimonyfbi-failureinstitutional-abusegymnasticsaccountability+2 more
Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is indicted on two misdemeanor charges of willful neglect of duty in connection to the Flint water crisis, becoming the first governor or former governor in Michigan’s 184-year history to be charged with crimes related to their time in office. Eight other …
Rick SnyderDana NesselFadwa Hammoudflint-water-crisisrick-snyderaccountabilitycriminal-justice
Facebook bans Trump from the platform on January 7, 2021, one day after the Capitol insurrection his election fraud lies helped incite, but only after he has lost political power and can no longer retaliate against the company. The ban follows four years of systematic Terms of Service violations …
Mark ZuckerbergDonald TrumpFacebookFacebook Oversight Boardfacebooktrumpjanuary-6content-moderationaccountability+3 more
New York State Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla ordered President Donald Trump to pay $2 million in damages to eight legitimate charities for systematically misusing the Trump Foundation for personal, business, and political purposes. The judgment found that Trump had “breached his …
Jeffrey Epstein is arrested at Teterboro Airport on federal charges of sex trafficking minors and conspiracy. The arrest by the FBI and NYPD comes after a joint investigation by the Southern District of New York, effectively nullifying the controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement. The indictment …
Jeffrey EpsteinGeoffrey BermanFBINYPDSouthern District of New Yorkfederal-prosecutionsex-traffickinglaw-enforcementaccountabilitycriminal-justice
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation agreed to pay $5.2 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it fraudulently billed the United States Postal Service for personnel who lacked the required education and experience qualifications specified in their contract labor categories. The …
Northrop GrummanDepartment of JusticeU.S. Postal ServiceUSPS Office of Inspector Generaldefense contractorsfraudfalse claims actcontractor abuseaccountability+1 more
On November 20, 2018, President Trump issues an extraordinary written statement titled “Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Standing with Saudi Arabia” that explicitly rejects CIA findings and defends Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite the intelligence community’s …
Donald TrumpMohammed bin SalmanCIAKing SalmanGina Haspeldonald-trumpsaudi-arabiajamal-khashoggiciaintelligence+4 more
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation agreed to pay $31.65 million to settle civil and criminal charges for systematically defrauding the U.S. Air Force by overbilling labor hours on battlefield communications contracts between January 2011 and October 2013. The settlement included $27.45 million for …
Northrop GrummanDepartment of JusticeU.S. Air ForceDefense Criminal Investigative ServiceFBI+1 moredefense contractorsfraudmilitary-industrial complexfalse claims actpentagon contracts+2 more
On October 23, 2018, three weeks after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, President Trump publicly acknowledges the killing was orchestrated by Saudi Arabia but makes clear he will not hold Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accountable. Despite calling Saudi …
Donald TrumpMohammed bin SalmanMike PompeoSaudi Arabia governmentdonald-trumpsaudi-arabiajamal-khashoggiaccountabilitymohammed-bin-salman+2 more
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel issued a final order on April 10, 2018 concluding the Trump University litigation and authorizing distribution of the $25 million settlement to approximately 3,730 victims who would receive at least 90 percent of their money back. The finalization came more than a …
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel approved the $25 million Trump University settlement on March 31, 2017, clearing the way for approximately 3,730 victims to receive refunds of at least 90 percent of the money they spent on Trump University courses. The approval came four months after Trump agreed …
During his first address to Congress on February 28, 2017, President Trump orchestrated an emotional moment honoring Carryn Owens, widow of Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens who died in the botched Yemen raid Trump approved on January 29. The chamber gave a standing ovation lasting 1 minute …
Donald TrumpCarryn OwensWilliam OwensRyan OwensJames Mattismilitary-incompetencepolitical-theateryemenaccountabilitypropaganda
President Trump authorized his first military operation—a raid on the Yemeni village of Yakla targeting al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula—resulting in the death of Navy SEAL Chief William “Ryan” Owens, at least 23 civilians including nine children and six women, and an 8-year-old …
Donald TrumpWilliam OwensNawar al-AwlakiCarryn Owensmilitary-incompetencecivilian-casualtieswar-crimesaccountabilityyemen
President Barack Obama commuted the sentence of Chelsea Manning, reducing her 35-year prison term to seven years served with a release date of May 17, 2017. The commutation came after Manning attempted suicide twice in 2016 while serving her sentence as a transgender woman in a men’s military …
Barack ObamaChelsea ManningDepartment of Justicewhistleblower-prosecutionclemencylgbtqtortureaccountability
Donald Trump agreed on November 18, 2016 to pay $25 million to settle all three Trump University fraud lawsuits—two class actions and the New York Attorney General civil suit—just 10 days after winning the presidential election and less than two weeks before the San Diego class action was scheduled …
Donald TrumpGonzalo CurielEric Schneidermantrump universityfraudsettlementconsumer protectionaccountability
On March 29, 2016, a coalition of 17 state attorneys general announced coordinated investigations into ExxonMobil for potential climate denial fraud at a daylong climate change conference in Manhattan. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude Walker …
Eric SchneidermanMaura HealeyClaude WalkerExxonMobilNew York Attorney General+2 moreclimate-denialexxonknewstate-investigationscorporate-fraudfossil-fuels+1 more
The European Court of Human Rights issues a landmark ruling finding that Poland violated the European Convention on Human Rights by allowing the CIA to operate a secret torture prison on its territory from December 2002 to September 2003. The court conclusively determines that Poland hosted a CIA …
European Court of Human RightsPolandCIAAbu ZubaydahAbd al-Rahim al-Nashiri+1 moretortureciablack-sitesinternational-lawpoland+2 more
Human Rights Watch released a comprehensive 214-page report documenting that many high-profile FBI terrorism prosecutions were “an illusion” based on aggressive sting operations that entrapped vulnerable individuals who posed no genuine threat. The report analyzed decades of terrorism …
FBIHuman Rights WatchDepartment of Justicefbi-abuseentrapmentterrorism-prosecutioncivil-libertiesaccountability
Northrop Grumman’s RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone program experienced massive cost escalation, with per-unit costs exploding from an initial $60.9 million in 2001 to $222.7 million per aircraft (including development costs) by 2013—a nearly four-fold increase that forced the Air Force to …
Northrop GrummanU.S. Air ForceDepartment of DefenseGovernment Accountability Office (GAO)military-industrial complexdefense contractorscost overrunssurveillance statedrone warfare+2 more
Former CIA officer Jeffrey Alexander Sterling was indicted on espionage charges for allegedly revealing details about Operation Merlin—a botched covert operation to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program—to New York Times journalist James Risen. The case became a flashpoint in the conflict between …
Jeffrey SterlingJames RisenCIAObama AdministrationDepartment of Justicewhistleblower-prosecutionespionage-actpress-freedomiranaccountability
Former CIA officer John Kiriakou pleaded guilty to violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act after being indicted under the Espionage Act for publicly confirming that waterboarding was official U.S. government policy. In a profound miscarriage of justice, Kiriakou became the only person …
John KiriakouCIAObama AdministrationDepartment of Justicewhistleblower-prosecutiontortureespionage-actaccountabilitywar-crimes
Seven major corporations—Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mars, Kraft Foods, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and software maker Intuit—announced they were dropping their memberships in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in April 2012, along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ceasing new …
Color of ChangeCoca-ColaPepsiCoKraft FoodsMcDonald's+3 morealeccorporate-corruptionaccountabilitycivil-rightslegislative-capture+1 more
The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), in cooperation with The Nation magazine, launched the ‘ALEC Exposed’ web project on July 13, 2011, posting 850 model bills created by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) over a 30-year period and exposing the systematic corporate …
Center for Media and DemocracyThe NationAmerican Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)Common CauseKoch Industriesaleclegislative-capturecorporate-corruptioninvestigative-journalismregulatory-capture+1 more
Former NSA senior executive Thomas Drake was indicted on ten felony counts, including five under the Espionage Act of 1917, marking the Obama administration’s aggressive prosecution of national security whistleblowers. Drake faced up to 35 years in prison for allegedly retaining classified …
Thomas DrakeNSAObama AdministrationDepartment of Justicewhistleblower-prosecutionespionage-actsurveillanceaccountabilitypress-freedom
President Barack Obama authorizes the Department of Justice to release four previously classified memos from the Office of Legal Counsel written between 2002 and 2005 that authorized CIA torture techniques including waterboarding, stress positions, sleep deprivation, and confinement in coffin-sized …
Barack ObamaEric HolderCIAJohn YooJay Bybee+2 moretortureciaobamaimpunitywar-crimes+2 more
On January 8, 2002, President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) into law at Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio, with bipartisan fanfare that masked the legislation’s deeply destructive effects on public education. Co-sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy and …
President George W. BushSenator Ted KennedyRepresentative John BoehnerPearson EducationETS+1 moreeducationtestingprivatizationcorporate-capturebipartisan-consensus+1 more
New revelations emerge that Hugh Rodham, Hillary Clinton’s brother, received $400,000 in payments for successfully lobbying President Clinton to grant a pardon to Almon Glenn Braswell, a businessman under investigation for money laundering, and a commutation for convicted drug trafficker …
Bill ClintonHillary ClintonRoger ClintonHugh RodhamAlmon Glenn Braswell+1 morepresidential-pardonscorruptioninfluence-peddlingaccountability
Hours before leaving office, President Bill Clinton grants a controversial presidential pardon to Marc Rich, an international fugitive who fled to Switzerland in 1983 to avoid prosecution on 51 counts of tax fraud, racketeering, and illegal oil trading with Iran during the 1979-1980 hostage crisis. …
Bill ClintonMarc RichDenise RichHillary Clintonpresidential-pardonscorruptioncampaign-financepolitical-influenceaccountability
Investigative journalist Gary Webb publishes his explosive three-part “Dark Alliance” series in the San Jose Mercury News, examining connections between the CIA, U.S.-backed Nicaraguan Contra rebels, and the crack cocaine epidemic that devastated African American communities during the …
Gary Webbjournalismciadrug-traffickingiran-contraaccountability+1 more
President George H.W. Bush issues sweeping pardons to six Iran-Contra defendants on Christmas Eve, twelve days before former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger’s trial was scheduled to begin. The pardons cover Weinberger, former National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane, former Assistant …
George H.W. BushCaspar WeinbergerRobert McFarlaneElliott AbramsLawrence Walshiran-contrapresidential-pardonsobstruction-of-justiceaccountabilitycover-up
Former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger is indicted by a federal grand jury on five felony counts of lying to Congress and investigators about the Iran-Contra scandal, marking the highest-ranking Reagan administration official charged in the affair. Independent counsel Lawrence Walsh brings the …