Trump administration systematically cut deals across more than 30 industries, trading tariff relief and federal financing for corporate concessions in a pattern resembling state-driven capitalism. Companies including Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and AstraZeneca faced pressure on production location and drug …
The Supreme Court ruled on 23 Trump administration policies via its emergency ‘shadow docket’ since Trump’s return to office, backing the administration in 21 cases without full arguments or normal deliberative processes. The Court allowed mass federal purges, foreign aid cuts, …
OMB Director Russ Vought systematically used government shutdown planning to execute mass federal purges, cancel funding, block oversight, and reclassify workers across agencies according to the Project 2025 framework. This represents a deliberate conversion of the Office of Management and Budget …
Russ VoughtOffice of Management and BudgetTrump AdministrationCongressinstitutional-capturesystematic-corruptionexecutive-overreachproject-2025-implementation
The Office of Management and Budget withheld congressionally approved funding for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), effectively disabling oversight of 72 federal watchdogs. The defunding caused at least 15 government oversight websites to go dark, removing …
Office of Management and BudgetCouncil of Inspectors General on Integrity and EfficiencyWhite HouseSusan CollinsChuck Grassleyinstitutional-capturesystematic-corruptionaccountability-dismantlingexecutive-overreach
ProPublica investigation revealed that U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson, a Trump appointee and former CIA officer, systematically protected El Salvador President Nayib Bukele from U.S. and Salvadoran law enforcement investigations. Based on a previously undisclosed State Department inspector general …
Ronald JohnsonNayib BukeleState DepartmentTrump Administrationinstitutional-capturediplomatic-corruptionobstruction-of-justiceforeign-autocrat-alignment
On October 1, 2025, the Department of Justice fired Michael Ben’Ary, the chief of the national security section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, after pro-Trump activist and writer Julie Kelly posted on social media falsely linking him to internal …
Michael Ben'AryDepartment of JusticeJulie KellyU.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of VirginiaTrump Administrationdojprosecutor-firingpolitical-prosecutioninstitutional-capturenational-security+1 more
The Department of Homeland Security and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services implemented a data-sharing agreement providing ICE with access to the personal information of all 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide. The shared database includes names, addresses, birth dates, ethnic and racial …
Department of Homeland SecurityCenters for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesICEState Attorneys General Coalitionsurveillance-expansioncivil-liberties-violationhealthcare-weaponizationinstitutional-capture
ProPublica exposed Russell Vought, Trump’s OMB director and Project 2025 architect, as operating as a ‘shadow president’ or ‘second commander-in-chief’ orchestrating the systematic dismantling of federal agencies and expansion of presidential power. Vought led Project …
Russell VoughtDonald TrumpOMBProject 2025institutional-captureauthoritarianismproject-2025executive-powergovernment-dismantling
The Department of Housing and Urban Development fired civil rights lawyers Palmer Heenan and Paul Osadebe on September 29 for speaking publicly about their whistleblower complaint documenting the Trump administration’s systematic dismantling of fair housing enforcement. The lawyers were among …
On September 26, 2025, Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform led a coalition of 35 conservative organizations—including Club for Growth and Americans for Prosperity—in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to let enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits expire in December …
Grover NorquistAmericans for Tax ReformClub for GrowthAmericans for ProsperityDavid McIntosh+2 moreinstitutional-captureregulatory-capturetax-policyhealthcarekleptocracy+2 more
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard killed the forthcoming Global Trends 2025 report and dismantled the intelligence unit that produced it, ending a practice dating to 1997 of publishing quadrennial unclassified assessments of future threats to U.S. national security. Gabbard’s …
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding, just days after President Trump publicly demanded his DOJ move ’now’ to prosecute enemies. The indictment—brought by Lindsey Halligan, …
James ComeyLindsey HalliganDonald TrumpPam BondiDepartment of Justicedoj-weaponizationpolitical-persecutionauthoritarianisminstitutional-captureprosecutorial-abuse+1 more
On September 25, 2025, Aakash Singh, a senior official in Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office, sent a directive to U.S. attorney’s offices in at least seven states—including California, New York, Illinois, Michigan, and Maryland—ordering them to prepare investigations into the …
Department of JusticeGeorge SorosOpen Society FoundationsAakash SinghTodd Blanche+2 moredojpolitical-prosecutioninstitutional-capturenonprofit-targetingfirst-amendment+1 more
Senator Ed Markey sent a letter to Trump alleging that Energy Secretary Chris Wright—former Oklo Inc. board member—is using his position to benefit the nuclear technology company through DOE plans to provide plutonium and approve a $1.7 billion reprocessing plant. Markey warned the moves pose …
Chris WrightOklo Inc.Ed MarkeyDepartment of Energyconflicts-of-interestinstitutional-captureregulatory-capturenuclear-industrycronyism
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth formally disestablished the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), a 74-year-old panel established in 1951 following the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. In a September 17 memo, Hegseth accused the committee of ‘advancing a …
Pete HegsethDACOWITSDepartment of Defenseinstitutional-purgemilitary-policygender-discriminationcivil-rightsinstitutional-capture
Trump appointed Lindsey Halligan, his former personal defense attorney with zero prosecutorial experience, as interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia—one of the nation’s most important federal prosecutor offices. The appointment came two days after Trump forced out Erik …
Lindsey HalliganDonald TrumpErik SiebertDepartment of Justiceinstitutional-capturedoj-weaponizationprosecutorial-abuseauthoritarianismloyalty-enforcement
The Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump to fire FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, overturning lower court rulings that had ordered her reinstatement after Trump fired her and fellow Democrat Alvaro Bedoya in March 2025. The Court agreed to hear arguments in December on whether to overturn …
Supreme CourtDonald TrumpRebecca SlaughterAlvaro BedoyaFTCinstitutional-captureregulatory-capturesupreme-courtindependence-erosionauthoritarianism+1 more
The Trump Justice Department officially closed an FBI investigation into border czar Tom Homan after FBI recordings captured him accepting $50,000 in cash in a restaurant takeout bag on September 20, 2024, from undercover agents posing as business executives. In the recordings, Homan agreed to help …
Tom HomanEmil BoveKash PatelFBIDepartment of Justicecorruptionobstruction-of-justiceinstitutional-capturedoj-weaponizationimpunity
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint revealing that the Office of Management and Budget under Russell Vought is hiding conditions for billions in federal funds through undisclosed ‘A’ footnotes in apportionment documents. Between March 21 and …
Russell VoughtOMBCREWinstitutional-capturetransparency-violationcongressional-oversightbudget-manipulationimpoundment
On September 20, 2025, Erik Siebert resigned as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after President Trump publicly stated he wanted Siebert “out” following a monthslong mortgage fraud investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James that failed to produce …
Erik SiebertDonald TrumpDepartment of JusticeLetitia JamesMaya Song+1 moredojprosecutor-firingpolitical-prosecutioninstitutional-captureprosecutorial-independence+1 more
Trump announced construction of a $200-250 million White House ballroom funded entirely by private donors including Lockheed Martin, Google, Palantir, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Blackstone. Nearly 40 corporations with billions in federal contracts pledged $5-10 million each, with donors’ …
Donald TrumpLockheed MartinGooglePalantirMicrosoft+3 morecorruptionpay-to-playconflicts-of-interestinstitutional-capturegovernment-contracts
Commerce Department official George Cook was named acting Census Bureau director while simultaneously serving as Commerce Department’s acting undersecretary for economic affairs (which oversees the Census Bureau) and as chief of staff to that role—an unprecedented concentration of power …
George CookCensus BureauDepartment of CommerceDonald Trumpinstitutional-capturecensus-manipulationstatistical-integritypolitical-interferenceelectoral-manipulation
The Securities and Exchange Commission under Trump-appointed chairman Paul Atkins abandoned civil enforcement cases seeking tens of millions in restitution from Devon Archer, Trevor Milton, and Carlos Watson—all convicted fraudsters pardoned or given clemency by Trump. The SEC filed joint …
Paul AtkinsDevon ArcherTrevor MiltonCarlos WatsonSEC+1 morecorruptioninstitutional-captureregulatory-captureimpunityfraud+1 more
The Education Department Inspector General launched an investigation into whether Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) illegally accessed sensitive student loan data including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, bank account information, and income data for millions of …
On September 16, 2025, former Special Counsel Jack Smith delivered his first public remarks since leaving the Department of Justice in a speech at George Mason University, warning that “the rule of law is under attack like in no other period in our lifetimes.” NPR exclusively obtained a …
Jack SmithDepartment of JusticeGeorge Mason UniversityTrump Administrationdojrule-of-lawinstitutional-capturepolitical-prosecutionspecial-counsel+1 more
The Senate confirmed Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in a 48-47 vote while he remained chair of Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers—marking the first time in the Fed’s 111-year history that a Board member simultaneously served as a presidential employee. Though …
Stephen MiranDonald TrumpFederal ReserveCouncil of Economic Advisersinstitutional-capturefederal-reserveconflicts-of-interestindependence-erosionregulatory-capture
The New York Times revealed that after UAE entity MGX (controlled by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed) invested $2 billion in World Liberty Financial—a cryptocurrency venture co-founded by Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff—the White House approved the UAE’s acquisition of hundreds of thousands of …
Donald TrumpSteve WitkoffDavid SacksSheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al NahyanMGX+2 morecorruptionpay-to-playinstitutional-captureconflicts-of-interestcryptocurrency+2 more
The American Foreign Service Association warned career diplomats they face retaliation for providing honest policy counsel that deviates from Trump administration positions. The State Department added ‘fidelity’ as a promotion criterion, effectively requiring ideological loyalty over …
State DepartmentAmerican Foreign Service AssociationDonald TrumpCareer Diplomatsinstitutional-capturediplomatic-purgeloyalty-over-expertiseforeign-policy-corruption
Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, changed chamber rules to allow confirmation of Trump’s sub-Cabinet, ambassador, and executive branch nominees in batches rather than individually, drastically reducing oversight and debate. The ’nuclear option’ procedural …
John ThuneSenate RepublicansDonald Trumpinstitutional-capturesenate-rules-changesappointment-accountabilityseparation-of-powers
Kevin Struthers, longtime jazz director at the Kennedy Center, was terminated following the July exit of artistic director Jason Moran, as Trump appointee Richard Grenell systematically purges the national cultural institution. Jazz programming has been gutted, with major performances cancelled and …
Richard GrenellKevin StruthersJason MoranKennedy Centerinstitutional-capturecultural-purgearts-censorshipracial-targeting
The Labor Department Inspector General launched a review of the Bureau of Labor Statistics following massive downward revisions showing 900,000 fewer jobs were added than originally reported. The investigation comes after Trump fired BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer for producing unfavorable …
Labor Department Inspector GeneralErika McEntarferDonald TrumpBureau of Labor Statisticsdata-manipulationinstitutional-capturestatistical-integrityeconomic-data-corruption
A federal judge declined to block Trump’s elimination of over 1,600 National Science Foundation grants worth $1 billion, despite Congress having explicitly appropriated and authorized the funding. The cuts, pushed by unauthorized DOGE operatives operating outside legal channels, specifically …
Donald TrumpDOGENational Science FoundationFederal Judiciaryinstitutional-capturecongressional-power-usurpationscientific-research-sabotagediscrimination
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced plans to extract government equity stakes from major corporations like Intel and Lockheed Martin in exchange for federal support, using tariffs and export licenses as pressure tools through a secretive ‘Investment Accelerator’ initiative. …
Howard LutnickDepartment of CommerceIntelLockheed MartinTrump Administrationinstitutional-capturecorporate-coercionregulatory-extortionsystematic-corruption
The Heritage Foundation released an 800-page ‘Guide to the Constitution’ featuring contributions from Trump appointees and prefaced by Justice Samuel Alito, serving as Trump’s blueprint for Supreme Court nominations and legal interpretation. The guide promotes an originalist …
Heritage FoundationJustice Samuel AlitoDonald TrumpSupreme Courtjudicial-captureinstitutional-captureconstitutional-subversionproject-2025
The Department of Justice is demanding comprehensive voter roll data from over 30 states, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and voting histories, claiming the intent is to identify noncitizen voters despite minimal evidence of such fraud. The data collection effort aims to create …
Department of JusticeDonald TrumpState election officialselection-subversionvoter-suppressioninstitutional-captureauthoritarianism
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard ordered the National Security Agency to retract a classified intelligence report describing Trump envoy Richard Grenell’s Venezuela negotiations, officially citing identity masking failures but effectively protecting Trump administration …
Missouri’s Republican-controlled legislature advanced new congressional maps that would reduce Democratic representation from two seats to one by dismantling Representative Emmanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City district. The mid-decade redistricting, normally only done after census years, …
The Trump administration announced it is exploring whether the federal government can seize control of the 9/11 memorial and museum in New York City. The White House confirmed ‘preliminary exploratory discussions’ about the takeover but declined to elaborate. During a 2024 campaign …
TrumpMichael BloombergKathy HochulPort Authority of New York and New Jerseyinstitutional-captureabuse-of-powerhistorical-revisionism
President Trump signed an executive order rebranding the Department of Defense as the ‘Department of War,’ which the White House claimed would serve as a ‘secondary title.’ Trump told reporters the change was ‘more appropriate’ and criticized the previous name as …
TrumpPete HegsethDepartment of Defenseinstitutional-captureexecutive-overreachmilitarism
President Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer following the release of a weak July jobs report, accusing the agency of ‘rigging’ employment numbers. Trump nominated EJ Antoni, a Heritage Foundation fellow and Project 2025 contributor who has publicly …
Donald TrumpErika McEntarferEJ AntoniBureau of Labor StatisticsHeritage Foundationinstitutional-capturedata-manipulationpolitical-retaliationstatistical-integrity
Stephen Miran, President Trump’s nominee for the Federal Reserve Board, announced he intends to maintain his position as White House economic adviser if confirmed, taking unpaid leave rather than resigning. This arrangement is unprecedented in Federal Reserve history, where governors have …
Stephen MiranDonald TrumpFederal Reserve BoardWhite Houseinstitutional-capturefederal-reserve-independenceconflicts-of-interestregulatory-capture
The U.S. Department of Justice formally opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on September 4, 2025, following a criminal referral from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte. Federal prosecutors issued grand jury subpoenas in Georgia and Michigan to …
Department of JusticeLisa CookPam BondiBill PulteEd Martin+2 moredojfederal-reservecriminal-investigationpolitical-prosecutioninstitutional-capture+1 more
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to release Epstein-related banking records covering at least $1.5 billion in suspicious transactions between 2003 and 2019. The Treasury files include suspicious activity reports detailing over 4,700 wire …
Ron WydenScott BessentTreasury DepartmentSenate Finance CommitteeJeffrey Epsteinobstruction-of-justiceinstitutional-captureelite-impunityfinancial-corruption
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, allowed President Trump to fire Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter before her term ends, overturning nearly 90 years of regulatory independence precedent established in …
Chief Justice John RobertsDonald TrumpRebecca SlaughterSupreme CourtFederal Trade Commissioninstitutional-captureregulatory-captureconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powers
Charles Borges, SSA’s Chief Data Officer, submitted an “involuntary resignation” citing
retaliation after his whistleblower complaint about DOGE’s mishandling of 300 million
Americans’ Social Security data became public. Borges reported experiencing “exclusion, …
Charles BorgesSocial Security AdministrationDOGEAram Moghaddassiwhistleblower-retaliationdata-breachsocial-securityinstitutional-capturepersonnel-purge
The Environmental Protection Agency fired at least eight employees who signed a letter criticizing Trump’s environmental rollbacks, in clear retaliation for exercising free speech and whistleblower protections. The terminated employees were career scientists and policy experts who raised …
The Department of Justice loosened qualification requirements to allow ‘any lawyer’—including approximately 600 military Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers—to serve as immigration judges, bypassing the traditional judicial independence standards and specialized training required for …
Department of JusticeTrumpMilitaryinstitutional-capturejudicial-independenceimmigration-policymilitarizationdue-process
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced an IT breach at FEMA, fired 23 employees, and demanded surviving staff publicly praise Trump as a condition of continued employment. The firings came after 36 FEMA employees were placed on administrative leave for signing a letter criticizing Trump …
The White House fired Robert E. Primus from the Surface Transportation Board via email without providing any cause, removing an independent regulator responsible for overseeing rail mergers and transportation policy. The Surface Transportation Board is designed to operate independently from …
TrumpWhite HouseSurface Transportation BoardRobert E. Primusregulatory-captureinstitutional-capturecrony-capitalismtransportation-policy
President Trump signed an executive order titled ‘Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again’ mandating that all new federal public buildings embrace classical architecture styles to ‘honor tradition, foster civic pride, and inspire the citizenry.’ The order represents an …
Donald TrumpWhite HouseGeneral Services Administrationexecutive-powerexecutive-orderspresidential-authorityinstitutional-capture