MAGA-aligned lobbying firms, led by Ballard Partners (founded by Trump fundraiser Brian Ballard), have quadrupled revenue as corporations seek influence on tariffs, healthcare, and China policy through Trump’s inner circle. Major clients including Harvard, TikTok, and Fortune 500 companies pay …
Brian Ballardcorporate clientsPam BondiSusie WilesTrump Administrationconflicts-of-interestcorruptioninstitutional-capturelobbyingpay-to-play
President Trump issued a full pardon to Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance cryptocurrency exchange, who had pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering and served four months in federal prison. The pardon came days after Binance.US added support for Trump family’s USD1 stablecoin and …
Donald TrumpChangpeng ZhaoBinanceWorld Liberty FinancialCharles McDowell+3 morebinancechangpeng-zhaocryptocurrencypresidential-pardoncorruption+8 more
India’s embassy hired Mercury Public Affairs for $75,000 per month to lobby the Trump administration amid threats of 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Mercury Public Affairs is closely tied to Trump insiders including Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff and Mercury’s former executive. …
IndiaMercury Public AffairsSusie WilesTrumpforeign-influencepay-to-playlobbyingconflicts-of-interestcorruption
Freight Technologies Inc., a North American shipping logistics company, announced a $20 million purchase of President Trump’s cryptocurrency ($TRUMP) as a strategic attempt to influence White House trade policy and lobby for tariff relief. CEO Javier Selgas explicitly stated the goal was to …
Donald TrumpJavier SelgasFreight Technologies Inc.cryptogovernment-contractslobbyingtariffscorruption
Roger Ver, the cryptocurrency entrepreneur known as ‘Bitcoin Jesus’, paid Roger Stone $600,000 to lobby against federal tax evasion charges after being indicted for hiding $48 million in crypto assets. Stone filed lobbying disclosures targeting the U.S. ’exit tax’ provisions …
Roger VerRoger StoneDonald TrumpDepartment of Justicecryptotax-evasionlobbyingfinancial-capture
In Q1 2025, Trump-affiliated lobbying firms like Ballard Partners and Mercury Public Affairs experienced a massive surge in profits, with Ballard Partners increasing revenues from $4.4M to $14.4M. The firms added over 120 new clients, including major corporations like JPMorgan Chase, Chevron, and …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationBrian BallardSusie WilesPam Bondiregulatory-capturelobbyingtrump-administrationpolitical-influence
Christopher Garcia, CEO of Health Supply US which has received $179 million in government
contracts primarily from Defense and Homeland Security, purchased Vice President JD Vance’s
Alexandria, Virginia home on March 14 for $1.9 million—$172,025 over the $1.69 million
asking price. Garcia, who …
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
Oracle Corporation spent approximately $11 million on federal lobbying during 2024, maintaining its position among an exclusive group of companies that exceeded eight figures in annual lobbying expenditures. This lobbying investment placed Oracle alongside tech giants including Amazon, …
Northrop Grumman spent $10.86 million on federal lobbying in 2023, employing 36 lobbyists of whom 29—a staggering 80.6 percent—had previously worked in government positions, exemplifying the revolving door between the Pentagon, Congress, and defense contractors that enables systematic corruption of …
Senator Elizabeth Warren released a comprehensive report analyzing the defense contractor revolving door, identifying 672 cases where the top 20 defense contractors employed former government officials, military officers, members of Congress, and senior legislative staff. The analysis found that 91% …
Elizabeth WarrenBoeingRaytheonLockheed MartinHouse Armed Services Committee+1 morerevolving-doordefense-contractorslobbyingcongressional-corruptionpentagon
Senate confirmed David Bernhardt as Interior Secretary despite him having the most
conflicts of interest of any Trump Cabinet nominee - 27 former clients and employers
actively lobbying the Interior Department. A former oil and gas lobbyist, Bernhardt
had so many potential conflicts he literally …
David BernhardtDonald TrumpDepartment of InteriorHalliburtonWestlands Water Districtregulatory-captureconflict-of-interestoil-and-gasinterior-departmentrevolving-door+2 more
While seeking federal approval of the T-Mobile–Sprint merger, T-Mobile executives sharply increased spending at Trump International Hotel in Washington—about $195,000 on rooms, meeting space, and services—according to company letters and reporting. The company said the stays did not affect the …
T-Mobile USSprintTrump International Hotel WashingtonFCCDOJ Antitrust Division+2 moremerger-reviewlobbyingconflictscorporate-influenceregulatory-capture
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi joined Ballard Partners, the powerful Trump-connected lobbying firm, as chairwoman of the Corporate Regulatory Compliance practice immediately after leaving office in January 2019. Over the next five years, Bondi would lobby on behalf of more than 30 clients …
Reyes Holdings, a Coca-Cola bottling giant owned by two major Republican donors, secured a tariff exemption for PET plastic resin with no public explanation, leaving industry insiders baffled. Records show the company had recently hired lobbyists with close White House ties, heightening suspicions …
Facebook intensively lobbies the Irish government and Data Protection Commission in advance of GDPR implementation, successfully negotiating weaker enforcement and regulatory interpretation that allows continued surveillance practices. The lobbying campaign creates Ireland as a data protection …
FacebookIrish Data Protection CommissionEnda Kenny (Irish Taoiseach)Max SchremsEuropean Commissionfacebookgdprlobbyingregulatory-captureprivacy+3 more
Systematic analysis of lobbying disclosure reports revealed that between 2019 and 2023, giant agribusinesses, food and agriculture industry associations, and special interest groups reported more than $523 million in federal lobby expenditures on disclosure reports listing “farm bill” as …
Glenn ThompsonDavid ScottHouse Agriculture CommitteeAmerican Farm Bureau FederationKoch Industriesregulatory-captureagriculturelobbyingcongressional-corruptioncorporate-subsidies
On July 21, 2017, the Senate confirmed Mark Esper as Secretary of the Army, installing a former Raytheon weapons lobbyist in a senior Pentagon position overseeing billions of dollars in defense contracts. Esper had served as Raytheon’s vice president of government relations from July 2010 …
Mark EsperRaytheonDonald TrumpElizabeth Warrenrevolving-doorraytheondefense-contractorspentagonlobbying+1 more
Within weeks of the 2016 election, Saudi-funded lobbyists booked about 500 nights at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel as part of a campaign flying U.S. veterans to lobby against JASTA (the 9/11 victims’ law). This booking was part of a broader pattern of foreign government spending at the …
Saudi Arabia governmentTrump International Hotel WashingtonQorvis/MSLGroup (Saudi lobbyists)Donald Trumpforeign-paymentsemolumentssaudi-arabiatrump-hotelconstitutional-violation+2 more
Moelis & Company, a Wall Street investment bank, announced the appointment of former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) as vice chairman and managing director just two weeks after his congressional career ended. According to SEC filings, Cantor’s compensation package included a …
Eric CantorMoelis & CompanyHouse Republicansrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptionwall-streetfinancial-sector
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) released comprehensive tax reform draft legislation proposing to raise the tax on carried interest from 23.8% to 35%, effectively closing one of the most notorious tax loopholes benefiting private equity and hedge fund managers. Carried …
Dave CampHouse Ways and Means CommitteeCarlyle GroupCerberus Capital ManagementManaged Funds Associationregulatory-capturetax-policylobbyingprivate-equitycongressional-corruption
The Senate confirmed former Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) as U.S. Ambassador to China by a vote of 96-0, ending his 36-year congressional career. Baucus had served as chairman and ranking member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, where he was the chief architect of the …
Max BaucusSenate Finance CommitteeMerckUnitedHealth GroupJeffrey Forbesrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptionhealthcareregulatory-capture
Investigation revealed that Citigroup lobbyists drafted a House bill aimed at rolling back Dodd-Frank financial regulations, with 70 of the 85 lines in the final House legislation directly reflecting Citigroup’s recommendations. Two complete paragraphs were copied almost word-for-word from …
The Federal Trade Commission closed its 19-month antitrust investigation of Google without bringing charges, despite internal staff recommendations for legal action. With 230 White House meetings in 2012-2013, Google demonstrated unprecedented political access, ultimately avoiding significant …
Federal Trade CommissionGoogle Inc.Larry PageEric SchmidtFTC Staff Attorneys+2 moreregulatory-capturetech-industryantitrustgoogleftc+2 more
Goldman Sachs announced the appointment of former Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) as an international advisor to the firm, making him one of 17 such advisors providing strategic counsel to Goldman’s executives and clients. Gregg had served three terms in the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2011, serving as …
Judd GreggGoldman SachsSecurities Industry and Financial Markets Associationrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptionwall-streetgoldman-sachs
Former Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) was named chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), becoming Hollywood’s chief lobbyist in Washington despite having “repeatedly and categorically” promised he would not work as a lobbyist after leaving the Senate. Dodd …
Chris DoddMPAAMotion Picture Associationrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptionhollywoodfinancial-sector
Former Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) joined private equity giant Apollo Global Management as a senior adviser and McGuireWoods as a strategic advisor immediately after leaving the Senate in January 2011. Within months, Bayh also secured positions on five corporate boards: Marathon Petroleum, Berry …
Evan BayhApollo Global ManagementMcGuireWoodsMarathon PetroleumBerry Plasticsrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptionprivate-equitycorporate-boards
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a nonprofit organization bringing together state legislators and corporate representatives, continued operating its model legislation system where corporate lobbyists receive “equal voice and vote” with elected officials in drafting …
American Legislative Exchange CouncilState LegislaturesKoch IndustriesExxonMobilregulatory-capturelobbyingcorporate-corruptionlegislative-capturealec
Analysis of congressional testimony revealed that think tanks funded by corporations and wealthy donors appeared as expert witnesses before congressional committees without disclosing their financial conflicts of interest. Between 2021-2024, 34% of think tank witnesses came from “dark …
The Obama White House secretly negotiated an $80 billion deal with pharmaceutical industry lobbyists, abandoning the president’s campaign promise to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. White House officials Jim Messina and Rahm Emanuel met with PhRMA CEO Billy Tauzin, agreeing to maintain …
The House of Representatives voted on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (TARP), with senators who supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout having received an average of $3,986,723 from the financial sector since 1989—39% more than bailout opponents who received an average of $1,671,029. …
Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $23,134,695 in restitution for his role in the massive congressional corruption scandal. This Washington D.C. sentencing was for conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, honest services fraud involving …
Jack AbramoffMichael ScanlonNative American TribesU.S. District CourtDepartment of Justice+4 morecorruptionlobbyingabramoffsentencingrestitution+2 more
Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), former Senate Majority Leader, abruptly resigned from the Senate effective 11:30 PM on December 18, 2007, explicitly timing his departure to avoid the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. The new ethics law, taking effect January 1, 2008, would have required a …
The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act took full effect after President Bush signed it into law, implementing new ethics rules designed to slow the revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms. The law extended cooling-off periods from one to two years for senators and established a …
Representative Bob Ney (R-OH) pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and making false statements in connection with the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, becoming the first member of Congress convicted in the case. Ney admitted to receiving gifts including golf trips to Scotland, expensive meals, and …
Bob NeyJack AbramoffHouse of RepresentativesDepartment of JusticeNeil Volz+1 morecorruptioncongressabramoffbriberylobbying+1 more
Lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges, exposing one of the largest congressional corruption scandals in modern U.S. history. Abramoff and partner Michael Scanlon defrauded Native American tribes of 5 million through inflated lobbying fees and secret kickbacks. The …
Jack AbramoffMichael ScanlonBob NeyTom DeLaySteven Griles+2 morecorruptionlobbyingabramoffcongressbribery+1 more
Documents revealed that Vice President Dick Cheney’s Energy Task Force had met extensively with executives from major oil companies, though chief executives denied involvement when testifying before the Senate Energy and Commerce committees. The revelation exposed how the Energy and Commerce …
House Energy and Commerce CommitteeDick CheneyExxonMobilAmerican Petroleum Instituteregulatory-captureclimate-changeoil-industrylobbyingcongressional-corruption
Center for Public Integrity investigation revealed that from January 2000 through June 2005, lawmakers and aides accepted at least 90 trips worth approximately $145,000 from sponsors matching firms registered to lobby the federal government. Analysis of privately funded congressional travel showed …
Tom DeLayJack AbramoffSusan HirschmannRobert Wexlercongressional-corruptionlobbyingethics-violationsjack-abramoff
Public Citizen released “Congressional Revolving Doors: The Journey from Congress To K Street,” documenting that 43% of U.S. House and Senate lawmakers (86 out of 198) who left office between 1998 and 2004 became registered lobbyists. The report found that 50% of eligible departing …
Public CitizenCongressK Streetrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptionregulatory-capture
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) joined InterMedia Advisors, a New York-based private equity firm, as a consultant and chairman of its executive advisory board just months after losing his 2004 reelection bid. Simultaneously, Daschle joined the law and lobbying firm Alston & Bird …
Tom DaschleInterMedia AdvisorsAlston & BirdLeo Hinderyrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptionhealthcareprivate-equity
Former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) founded Gephardt Group, a consulting and lobbying firm, immediately after his three-decade political career ended with the expiration of his 14th congressional term on January 3, 2005. Gephardt established the Atlanta-based firm with his children, …
Dick GephardtGephardt GroupDLA Piperrevolving-doorlobbyingcongressional-corruptiondemocratic-party
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) announced that former House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA) would become its president and CEO, effective January 2005. The announcement came shortly after Tauzin’s retirement from Congress, where from 2001 …
Billy TauzinPhRMAMedicarerevolving-doorregulatory-capturehealthcarelobbyingcongressional-corruption
The Washington Post published a groundbreaking investigation by journalist Susan Schmidt exposing the Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon lobbying scandal involving Native American tribal clients. The investigation revealed that the two lobbyists had charged six Native American tribes more than $82 …
Susan SchmidtWashington PostJack AbramoffMichael ScanlonTom Rodgers+3 morejournalismabramofflobbyingnative-american-casinoscorruption+2 more
The House of Representatives passed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act at 5:53 AM after an unprecedented 3-hour vote that House leaders held open for nearly three hours past the normal 15-minute voting period to secure enough votes. The legislation created Medicare …
Billy TauzinHouse Energy and Commerce CommitteePhRMAMedicareregulatory-capturehealthcarepharmaceutical-industrycongressional-corruptionlobbying
On April 6, 1999, Jack Abramoff formalized a subcontractor arrangement with Ralph Reed and Preston Gates, involving the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The scheme involved routing $1.3 million through intermediary organizations like Americans for Tax Reform to conceal payments to Reed’s …
Jack AbramoffRalph ReedMississippi Band of Choctaw IndiansCentury StrategiesPreston Gates+2 moreabramoffralph-reedmoney-launderingchoctawcorruption+2 more
In 1997 and 1998, the banking, insurance, and securities industries spend over $300 million to advance financial deregulation, including $58 million in direct campaign contributions to Democratic and Republican candidates, $87 million in soft money contributions to both parties, and $163 million on …
Banking IndustryInsurance IndustrySecurities IndustryDemocratic PartyRepublican Party+1 morecampaign-financelobbyingfinancial-deregulationglass-steagallcorruption+2 more
The Republican Party, led by Newt Gingrich, Tom DeLay, and Grover Norquist, launched the K Street Project to fundamentally restructure Washington lobbying. By creating an explicit pay-to-play system, they pressured lobbying firms to hire Republican staff, track employee political affiliations, and …
corporate-influencelobbyingrepublican-strategyk-street-projectcampaign-finance+1 more
Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell declares the Clinton administration’s Health Security Act dead, with the bill never coming to a vote in either chamber of Congress. The failure represents a devastating defeat for comprehensive healthcare reform after an intense lobbying campaign by …
Bill ClintonHillary ClintonHealth Insurance IndustryHealth Insurance Association of AmericaPharmaceutical Industryhealthcareregulatory-capturelobbyinginsurance-industrycorporate-power+1 more
The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) was formed as a project of the National Association of Manufacturers to represent fossil fuel producers and oppose regulation to mitigate global warming. Founding members included major oil companies like Phillips Petroleum, Shell, Texaco, Amoco, trade associations …
Global Climate CoalitionTom LambrixJ. MinterPhillips PetroleumSouthern Company+9 moreclimate-denialregulatory-capturefossil-fuelslobbyinginternational-influence+2 more
By 1984, ALEC’s corporate membership had grown so rapidly that Executive Director Kathleen Teague reported corporations were overwhelming the organization’s capacity. Major corporations supporting ALEC that year included Edison Electric Institute, Procter & Gamble Co., Mary Kay …
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)Kathleen TeagueEdison Electric InstituteProcter & GambleEli Lilly+5 morecorporate-capturelegislative-capturealeccorporate-membershiplobbying+1 more