Attorney General Pam Bondi fired Joseph Tirrell, the Department of Justice’s top ethics director responsible for advising senior leadership on federal employee ethics, as part of a broader personnel purge affecting investigators of Trump-related cases.
Pam BondiJoseph TirrellDonald TrumpJack SmithTodd Blancheregulatory-captureethics-violationjustice-weaponizationdoj-purgetrump-administration+1 more
While serving as governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem received $80,000 from a dark money nonprofit called American Resolve Policy Fund to her personal LLC, Ashwood Strategies, which she failed to disclose on federal ethics forms before her confirmation as DHS Secretary. The payment structure …
President Trump has systematically undermined post-Watergate institutional safeguards by firing inspectors general, challenging civil service protections, and seeking to neutralize oversight mechanisms established after the Nixon era. Key actions include dismissing Merit Systems Protection Board …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSupreme CourtCongressMerit Systems Protection Boardregulatory-captureethics-violationjustice-weaponizationinstitutional-dismantlingcivil-service-protections
A comprehensive investigation reveals extensive financial conflicts of interest within the Trump administration, including cryptocurrency ventures funded by foreign investors, real estate deals with international connections, and a private executive club that blurs lines between government and …
Donald TrumpPam BondiSean DuffyLori Chavez-DeRemerLee Zeldin+2 morekleptocracytrump-administrationfinancial-conflictsethics-violationcrypto+1 more
President Trump nominated 30-year-old Paul Ingrassia, a political loyalist with ties to far-right media, to lead the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a government agency responsible for investigating federal employee misconduct and protecting whistleblowers. Ingrassia’s nomination sparked …
Donald TrumpPaul IngrassiaHampton Y. Dellingercorruptionethics-violationpolitical-appointmentstrump-administration
Trump and his family have monetized the presidency to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars without significant public outcry and institutional pushback after his early purge of federal ethics watchdogs
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationgovernment-contractsethics-violation
Attorney General Pam Bondi sold between $1 million and $5 million worth of Trump Media shares on April 2, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s major tariff announcement. The stock sale, part of an ethics divestment, occurred when Trump Media’s stock was near its lowest point, dropping over 10% …
Donald TrumpPam BondiTrump Administrationmedia-controlgovernment-contractsstock-tradingethics-violation
President Trump’s $TRUMP memecoin raised $350 million, with top token holders gaining exclusive access to White House dinners. The project created a controversial ‘access-for-tokens’ model, raising significant ethical concerns about monetizing presidential access and potential …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationJustin SunSean CastenAdam Smithcryptogovernment-contractspolitical-fundraisingethics-violationinfluence-trading
World Liberty Financial co-founder Zach Witkoff–who is also Steve Witkoff’s son–announced state-backed Emirati investment firm MGX would use Trump’s stablecoin, USD1, for a $2 billion transaction with Binance. Binance, a crypto-exchange platform, has been monitored by the US government since the …
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptogovernment-contractsethics-violation
Pentagon officials initially planned to brief Elon Musk on 29 ultra-classified weapons programs related to potential conflict with China, but canceled the meeting after media reports. Musk ultimately met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in an unclassified meeting about ‘innovation and …
Donald TrumpElon MuskPete HegsethAdmiral Samuel Paparoforeign-influenceregulatory-capturenational-securitymilitary-industrial-complexethics-violation
Trump has disbanded the DOJ’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and deprioritized prosecutions of crypto firms, effectively greenlighting regulatory violations like money laundering and unlicensed exchanges
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-captureethics-violationjustice-weaponization
The AFL-CIO and former OSHA officials filed a lawsuit warning that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) operatives are embedded at the Department of Labor, potentially gaining access to sensitive whistleblower files. Musk’s companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationElon MuskAFL-CIODepartment of Laborregulatory-captureethics-violationcorporate-influencetech-industrylabor-rights
In an unprecedented move, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick publicly recommended buying Tesla stock during a Fox News appearance on March 20, 2025, raising significant ethical concerns. Lutnick stated ‘It’ll never be this cheap again,’ directly contradicting federal ethics …
Howard LutnickElon MuskDonald TrumpTrump AdministrationGerry Connollyregulatory-capturecorporate-influenceethics-violationtrump-administration
President Trump turned the White House South Lawn into a Tesla showroom, purchasing a red Tesla Model S while Elon Musk was present. The event raised significant ethics concerns about presidential conduct and corporate endorsement, occurring amid Tesla’s declining stock performance.
Donald TrumpElon MuskWhite House Staffkleptocracycorporate-influencewhite-houseethics-violation
President Trump turned the White House South Lawn into a Tesla showroom, personally endorsing the company and Elon Musk amid declining stock values. The event raised substantial ethical concerns about presidential influence and corporate favoritism, with Trump displaying five Tesla vehicles and …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationElon MuskTeslakleptocracycorporate-captureexecutive-branchethics-violation
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
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
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 appoints Charles Kushner (Jared’s father), Kimberly Guilfoyle (Donald Jr.’s fiancée), and Massad Boulos (Tiffany’s father-in-law) to positions, with at least 20 families having multiple members in federal posts circumventing Anti-Nepotism Statute.
Charles KushnerKimberly GuilfoyleMassad BoulosTrump Familynepotismfamily-appointmentsanti-nepotism-statutecorruptionethics-violation
Trump revoked Biden’s Executive Order 13989 on ethics commitments on January 20, 2025, eliminating requirements that banned gifts from lobbyists, prohibited shadow lobbying for one year, and imposed two-year cooling-off periods before joining firms that lobby agencies. The rescission allows …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationOffice of Government Ethics (OGE)Public CitizenCraig Holman (Public Citizen lobbyist)+1 moreethics-violationlobbyingregulatory-capturegovernment-ethicsinstitutional-capture+3 more
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed with ongoing financial interests in vaccine litigation, earning $856,559 in referral fees while controlling federal health policy. Despite resignation from consulting arrangements, he retains potential profit from Merck vaccine litigation, raising …
robert-f-kennedy-jrchildrens-health-defenseHHSNIHMerck+4 morerfk-jranti-vaccinehhsconflict-of-interestbiotech-investments+5 more
Melania Trump launched $MELANIA memecoin on January 19, 2025, hours before inauguration, causing her husband’s $TRUMP coin to crash 40%. The token reached $13 and a $2.15 billion market cap before dropping below $5. Financial Times later revealed 24 wallets bought $2.6 million worth two …
Melania TrumpDonald TrumpAnonymous traders (24 wallets)Trump Familycryptoconflict-of-interestmonetizationmemecoininsider-trading+2 more
Trump launched a cryptocurrency memecoin right before his inauguration to make millions of dollars, then increased the value of those coins by signing executive orders making crypto a priority. He also launched a meme coin for Melania Trump.
Donald TrumpMelania Trumptrump-memecoincorruptiontrump-coinfinancial-conflictsmarket-manipulation+11 more
Fix the Court database documents 672 gifts worth $6.6 million to 18 current and former justices between 2004-2023, with Thomas receiving majority from Harlan Crow
Supreme Court JusticesFix the CourtHarlan CrowPaul SingerClarence Thomas+1 morejudicial-corruptiongift-disclosureethics-violationsystematic-corruptioninvestigation-findings
ProPublica exposed that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito failed to disclose an expensive luxury fishing trip to Alaska in July 2008, paid for by billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Singer and other Republican donors. Alito flew to Alaska on Singer’s private jet and stayed at the King Salmon …
Samuel AlitoPaul SingerElliott Investment ManagementLeonard LeoRobin Arkley II+1 morejudicial-capturesupreme-courtcorporate-influenceethics-violationsamuel-alito+3 more
ProPublica exposes Samuel Alito’s 2008 luxury Alaska fishing trip with hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer who later had business before the court, revealing potential judicial ethics violations and conflicts of interest. Alito preemptively disputes in WSJ op-ed, PBS News Hour provides …
ProPublicaSamuel AlitoPaul SingerWall Street JournalLeonard Leo+1 morejudicial-capturesupreme-courtinvestigative-journalismalito-scandalundisclosed-gifts+2 more
ProPublica revealed that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had accepted luxury vacations worth potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars from billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow over more than 20 years without disclosing them, as required by federal ethics law. The gifts included private …
Clarence ThomasHarlan CrowCrow HoldingsLeonard LeoRobin Arkley II+1 morejudicial-capturesupreme-courtcorporate-influenceethics-violationclarence-thomas+2 more
While serving as South Dakota governor, Kristi Noem secretly accepted $80,000 from a dark money nonprofit called American Resolve Policy Fund, routing the payment to her personal LLC Ashwood Strategies in Delaware. She failed to disclose this payment to the public and later failed to include it in …
Kristi NoemLee Schoenbeckcorruptiondark-moneykristi-noemsouth-dakotaethics-violation+2 more
South Dakota’s Government Accountability Board voted unanimously that there was sufficient evidence Governor Kristi Noem had committed malfeasance and engaged in a conflict of interest regarding her intervention in her daughter’s appraiser license application. The board found evidence of …
Kristi NoemSouth Dakota Government Accountability BoardJason Ravnsborgcorruptionethics-violationkristi-noemsouth-dakotaabuse-of-power+1 more
Days after South Dakota agency moved to deny Kassidy Peters’ real estate appraiser license application, Governor Kristi Noem summoned agency head Sherry Bren and other officials to a meeting with Peters present. Peters ultimately received certification four months later after receiving special …
Kristi NoemKassidy PetersSherry BrenMarcia Hultmancorruptionnepotismabuse-of-powerkristi-noemsouth-dakota+1 more
Phantom Fireworks CEO Bruce Zoldan met with Trump in May 2019 to lobby against tariffs on Chinese fireworks. Shortly after, Zoldan’s company provided an estimated $750,000-$1,000,000 in fireworks and services for Trump’s “Salute to America” July 4th event. The administration …
Donald TrumpBruce ZoldanPhantom Fireworkstariffspay-to-playcorruptionquid-pro-quoethics-violation
Governor Kristi Noem used state airplanes to travel to political events hosted by organizations including the National Rifle Association and Republican Jewish Coalition, violating South Dakota law that bars state aircraft from being used for anything other than state business. Democratic lawmakers …
Kristi NoemNRARepublican Jewish Coalitioncorruptionmisuse-of-resourceskristi-noemsouth-dakotaethics-violation+1 more
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned while under at least 18 federal investigations
for corruption, conflicts of interest, and ethics violations. Scandals included:
involvement in a Montana land deal benefiting himself and Halliburton chairman,
using wildfire funds for personal travel, chartered …
Ryan ZinkeDonald TrumpDepartment of InteriorDavid Bernhardtcorruptioninterior-departmentpublic-landsethics-violationcabinet-scandal+2 more
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned facing at least 14 federal investigations
into corruption, ethics violations, and misuse of taxpayer funds. Scandals included:
spending $43,000 on a soundproof phone booth, first-class travel costing over
$100,000, using staff for personal errands like finding …
Scott PruittDonald TrumpEnvironmental Protection AgencyAndrew Wheelercorruptioneparegulatory-captureethics-violationcabinet-scandal+2 more
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned after revelations he spent
over $1 million in taxpayer funds on private jets and military aircraft for travel
that included personal business. Price took at least 26 private charter flights
costing over $400,000, often to places where he had …
Tom PriceDonald TrumpDepartment of Health and Human Servicescorruptionresignationmisuse-of-fundshealthcareinsider-trading+5 more
White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway committed over 50 Hatch Act violations by repeatedly using her official position to influence elections, with the Office of Special Counsel finding she violated the law on dozens of occasions including advocating for Roy Moore and against Doug Jones in the …
Kellyanne ConwayDonald TrumpOffice of Special CounselWhite HouseIvanka Trump+1 morehatch-actethics-violationimpunityrule-of-lawcorruption
Crow starts paying roughly $6,200 monthly tuition for Mark Martin, whom Thomas was raising as a son, at elite boarding schools totaling approximately $100,000 in undisclosed gifts
Clarence ThomasHarlan CrowMark MartinHidden Lake AcademyRandolph-Macon Academyjudicial-capturesupreme-courtundisclosed-giftsfamily-benefitseducation-payments+1 more
Justice Samuel Alito accepts private jet flight worth over $100,000 and luxury lodge stay from hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer who later has business before the court, violating disclosure requirements
Samuel AlitoPaul SingerLeonard LeoRobin Arkley IIjudicial-capturesupreme-courtundisclosed-giftsethics-violationluxury-travel+1 more
Justice Clarence Thomas begins a two-decade pattern of accepting luxury yacht vacations and private jet trips from billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow without disclosure, violating Supreme Court ethics standards. Senate investigations revealed nearly $4.2 million in undisclosed gifts, including …
Clarence ThomasHarlan CrowRochelle Charter (Crow's yacht company)judicial-capturesupreme-courtundisclosed-giftsethics-violationluxury-travel+1 more