The CFPB dismissed a lawsuit against Comerica Bank that had accused the bank of systematically mistreating 3.4 million federal benefits cardholders through disconnected customer service, illegal fees, and mishandled fraud complaints. The lawsuit, originally filed in December 2024 by then-Director …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationRohit ChopraComerica BankBank of New York Mellonregulatory-capturegovernment-contractsjustice-weaponizationcfpbtrump-administration
Binance executives met with Treasury officials to request removal of U.S. monitor overseeing anti-money-laundering compliance while simultaneously negotiating deals with Trump’s World Liberty Financial crypto venture
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturegovernment-contracts
President Donald J. Trump signed H.J.Res.25 into law, nullifying an IRS rule that would have expanded cryptocurrency broker reporting requirements to include decentralized finance (DeFi) exchanges. The Congressional Review Act was used to reverse the Biden-era regulation, with the House passing the …
Donald TrumpMike CareyWays and Means CommitteeCongresscryptoregulatory-capturetax-policylegislative-action
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
Democratic FTC Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya warned that the Trump administration’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ (DOGE) was seeking access to highly sensitive, confidential business records that could potentially manipulate markets. They emphasized that under no …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationElon MuskRebecca SlaughterAlvaro Bedoyaregulatory-capturetrump-administrationftcmarket-manipulation
A leaked service agreement between the Department of Labor and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) shows a $1.3 million fee for DOGE’s work, contradicting Elon Musk’s previous claims that DOGE would cost taxpayers nothing. The agreement covers four DOGE affiliates over an …
Elon MuskDonald TrumpDepartment of LaborUS Digital Service (USDS)regulatory-capturegovernment-contractsinstitutional-transformationtrump-administration
The Trump Administration’s Justice Department, led by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, disbanded the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET), effectively ending federal prosecutorial oversight of complex crypto-related financial crimes. The move represents a significant …
Donald TrumpTodd BlancheTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationtrump-administrationfinancial-deregulation
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued April 7 memo dissolving NCET “effective immediately,” ending Biden-era crypto enforcement unit established 2021-2022. DOJ shifted from “regulation by prosecution” to crypto-friendly approach, explicitly stating it won’t pursue …
Department of JusticeTodd Blanche (Deputy Attorney General)National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET)Trump AdministrationComputer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS)cryptoenforcementregulatory-captureoversight-elimination
Mark Zuckerberg lobbied President Trump to settle a 2020 FTC antitrust case that
seeks to unwind Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp for allegedly maintaining
an illegal monopoly. The case was set for trial on April 14, 2025. According to WSJ,
negotiations failed and the trial …
Mark ZuckerbergMetaDonald TrumpTrump AdministrationFederal Trade Commissionantitrustbig-techregulatory-captureconflict-of-interest
The US Treasury Department quietly removed Karina Rotenberg, wife of Russian oligarch and Putin confidant Boris Rotenberg and a US citizen suspected of shielding her oligarch husband’s wealth, from its sanctions list
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationforeign-influenceregulatory-capture
Long-serving SEC Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) leaders Charles Cain and Tracy Price retired following the Trump administration’s February 2025 order pausing anti-bribery enforcement. Their departure represents a significant shift in anti-corruption regulatory oversight, occurring amid a …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationCharles CainTracy Pricecorruptionforeign-influenceregulatory-capturesectrump-administration+1 more
Shares in Trump Media and Technology Group dropped about 5% after the company filed paperwork with the SEC that could allow Trump’s trust to sell up to 115 million shares, worth more than $2.3 billion, raising concerns about a potential insider selloff
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationmedia-controlregulatory-capturegovernment-contracts
The SEC restructures its enforcement and examination divisions under the Trump administration, consolidating regional offices from 10 to 4, reducing senior leadership positions, and implementing a more focused approach to regulatory enforcement
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationPaul AtkinsSamuel WaldonKatherine Zoladz+2 moreregulatory-capturesec-restructuringtrump-administrationinstitutional-transformation
The State Department announced plans to pay Tesla $400 million for unspecified services, coming weeks after Trump systematically fired federal officials investigating Elon Musk’s companies. The payment followed the removal of FDA staffers reviewing Neuralink, EEOC leaders investigating Tesla …
State DepartmentTeslaElon MuskDonald Trumpelon-muskteslastate-departmentgovernment-contractsquid-pro-quo+1 more
Multiple Pulitzer Prize-winning investigations in 2025 documented systematic kleptocratic patterns. Reuters won for “boldly reported exposé” of systematic regulatory failures enabling widespread corruption. Wall Street Journal’s national reporting prize covered Elon Musk’s …
ReutersWall Street JournalBoston GlobeOrganized Crime and Corruption Reporting ProjectElon Musk+1 morepulitzer-prizeinvestigative-journalismcorruption-exposedregulatory-capturemusk-putin+2 more
Under Nancy Beck (former American Chemistry Council) and Lynn Dekleva (ex-DuPont), EPA moved to reverse bans on trichloroethylene, asbestos, and ethylene oxide - chemicals linked to cancer and neurological disorders.
President Trump pardoned Nikola founder Trevor Milton, who was convicted of securities fraud in October 2022, after Milton donated $1.8M to Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign. The pardon effectively eliminates $695.2 million in potential restitution to Nikola shareholders and prevents further …
Donald TrumpTrevor MiltonNikola Corporationcorruptionpardonregulatory-capturecampaign-financecorporate-fraud
Trump has granted full pardons to BitMEX co-founders Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, and Samuel Reed, who were convicted of violating the Bank Secrecy Act for failing to implement anti-money laundering controls
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptopardonregulatory-capture
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) restructured its cryptocurrency regulatory approach by dissolving its previous Crypto Asset and Cyber Unit and launching a new Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit, signaling a shift from enforcement to regulatory framework development.
Paul AtkinsMark T. UyedaHester PeirceSEC Crypto Task Forceregulatory-capturecryptosec-restructuringregulatory-framework
Trump’s EPA established an email portal allowing fossil fuel companies to request Presidential Exemptions from Clean Air Act regulations, enabling up to two-year compliance waivers for pollution control standards on nearly 200 toxic pollutants.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationEnvironmental Protection Agencyregulatory-captureenvironmental-policyexecutive-power
SpaceX executives allowed Chinese investment through Cayman Islands shell companies, raising significant national security concerns about foreign ownership in a critical U.S. military contractor. Investor testimony revealed direct Chinese stakes in SpaceX, with a potential $50 million investment …
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
In a landmark regulatory decision on March 19, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped its four-year lawsuit against Ripple Labs, a cryptocurrency firm with close political connections. Following a partial legal victory in 2023 and significant changes in SEC leadership under the …
In March 2025, SpaceX’s DOGE team installed a Starlink satellite internet terminal at the White House, bypassing standard communication security protocols. Congressional Democrats raised significant national security concerns about potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities and conflicts of …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationElon MuskSpaceX DOGE TeamRep. Gerry Connolly+1 moreregulatory-capturecybersecuritytechnology-infrastructurewhite-housestarlink
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, faces scrutiny for overstating federal contract savings and potentially using government access to benefit Musk’s business interests. The Treasury Department has launched an audit to investigate DOGE’s access to payment …
World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture backed by Trump’s family, announced it raised $250 million in its second token sale, bringing total sales to $550 million. The project demonstrates potential conflicts of interest and regulatory capture in the cryptocurrency sector.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationWorld Liberty FinancialJustin Suncryptoworld-liberty-financialgovernment-contractscrypto-ventureregulatory-capture+3 more
Evan Feinman, who led the Commerce Department’s $42.5 billion broadband program, resigned warning that Trump is restructuring the initiative to benefit Elon Musk’s Starlink
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationregulatory-capturegovernment-contracts
The U.S. State Department, led by Ambassador Sharon Cromer, pressured Gambian officials to approve Starlink’s business license by implying potential cuts to U.S. developmental aid. The campaign targeted Lamin Jabbi, head of the Communications Ministry, and escalated to direct appeals to …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSharon CromerLamin JabbiElon Musk+3 moremedia-controlregulatory-captureforeign-aidstarlinkdiplomatic-pressure
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s deep ties to the cryptocurrency industry have raised concerns about potential regulatory capture. Through his firm Cantor Fitzgerald and personal investments, Lutnick has significant financial interests in crypto firms while leading the Trump …
Donald TrumpHoward LutnickElizabeth WarrenTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturetrump-administrationfinancial-corruption
The Justice Department dramatically reduced the Public Integrity Section, cutting its staff from dozens to approximately 6 prosecutors, effectively dismantling its capacity to independently investigate government corruption. The unit, created in 1976 following the Watergate scandal, will no longer …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationPam BondiEric AdamsDavid Laufmancorruptionregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationinstitutional-captureforeign-influence
The SEC’s Republican-controlled commission voted to revoke the enforcement division’s longstanding authority to independently launch formal investigations, requiring direct commissioner approval. This change potentially slows investigative processes and increases political oversight of …
Donald TrumpMark UyedaHester PeirceCaroline Crenshawregulatory-capturesec-transformationtrump-administration-policy
Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced massive workforce reduction at the Department of Education, eliminating nearly 1,300 positions across all divisions. The cuts, directly aligned with Project 2025’s recommendation to dismantle the department, will impact Federal Student Aid, Institute …
Linda McMahonSheria SmithDepartment of EducationAFGE Local 252education-dismantlingdepartment-eliminationworkforce-cutsfederal-educationproject-2025+1 more
The Trump administration circumvented standard procurement processes to award a $200 million DHS advertising contract to two Republican-linked political consulting firms, bypassing competitive bidding and using taxpayer funds for a politically-motivated ‘self-deportation’ media campaign.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationKristi NoemJay ConnaughtonMike McElwainregulatory-capturegovernment-contractsimmigration-policymedia-manipulation
Department of Government Efficiency attempted to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau through mass firings, but federal judges blocked the action and ordered reinstatement
of workers. The attempted dismantling affected 1,500 CFPB employees before court intervention.
Multiple judges …
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)CFPBDonald TrumpTrump AdministrationFederal judgesregulatory-captureagency-dismantlingcourt-interventionworker-rights
Amazon agreed to pay $40 million for a documentary and limited series about Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner. The deal, far above market rates for similar content, came after Jeff Bezos met with Trump and as Amazon faced multiple federal investigations. The documentary, with Melania as an …
AmazonJeff BezosMelania TrumpDonald TrumpBrett Ratneramazonjeff-bezosmelania-trumpbriberyquid-pro-quo+4 more
Wealthy Chinese investors have secretly used special-purpose vehicles to invest over $30 million in Elon Musk’s private companies, including SpaceX, xAI, and Neuralink. These investments are routed through Cayman Islands-registered entities to obscure direct ownership, raising significant …
The Justice Department fired Adam Cohen, director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, continuing the Trump administration’s pattern of sidelining career civil servants. The dismissal occurred shortly after the DOJ announced a reorganization combining the task force with the …
Donald TrumpAdam CohenTodd Blancheregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationcivil-service-purge
The FCC granted SpaceX’s Starlink a conditional waiver to operate a high-power direct-to-cell satellite service with T-Mobile at -110.6 dBW/m²/MHz, a 770% power increase. Despite strong objections from AT&T and Verizon about potential network interference, the FCC approved the service with …
Cryptocurrency Tether went from target of government scrutiny to ally of Trump; it’s backed by Commerce Secretary Lutnick and now holds $140 billion in US Treasury bonds—making it the 17th-largest holder of US debt
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturegovernment-contracts
White House issued March 5 ethics waiver allowing David Sacks to shape crypto policy despite remaining financial interests in digital assets through Craft Ventures. Despite selling $200M in liquid crypto holdings, Sacks retained stakes in BitGo and Lightning Labs. Warren questioned the conflict as …
David SacksWhite HouseDavid Warrington (White House Counsel)Sen. Elizabeth WarrenCraft Ventures+1 morecryptoethics-waiverconflict-of-interestregulatory-capture
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) demanded $4 million from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to fund 20 full-time positions tasked with implementing widespread federal workforce reductions. OPM was required to submit Reduction in Force (RIF) plans targeting approximately 70,000 …
Elon MuskDonald TrumpTrump AdministrationOffice of Personnel Managementgovernment-contractsworkforce-reductionregulatory-capturefederal-employment
The Trump administration effectively paralyzed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in March 2025, freezing hundreds of millions in consumer protection payouts and halting dozens of ongoing corporate investigations. Under Acting Director Russell Vought, the agency’s headquarters was …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationRussell Voughtregulatory-capturegovernment-contractsconsumer-protectionfinancial-regulation
SEC offered $50,000 buyouts to staff members while they were investigating Elon Musk, creating pressure to leave during active enforcement actions against the DOGE co-director’s companies. Lead attorney Robin Andrews resigned April 2025, calling it “heartbreaking” amid concerns …
An in-depth analysis reveals that over 70% of Trump’s cabinet members have direct connections to the Project 2025 blueprint, with more than 50 high-level officials from the project strategically placed in key government roles. Notable appointees include Brendan Carr (FCC Chairman), Tom Homan …
FAA approves 4,000 Starlink terminals worth $400 million despite existing contract with another company, while State Department announces $400 million Tesla Cybertruck contract and Commerce changes broadband requirements favoring Starlink.
FAAStarlinkTeslaState DepartmentDepartment of Commerceself-dealingstarlinkgovernment-contractsmuskregulatory-capture
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announces 31 historic deregulation actions in “the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history,” including reconsidering the 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding. Chemical industry veterans Nancy Beck (American Chemistry Council) …
Lee ZeldinNancy BeckLynn DeklevaEPAAmerican Chemistry Councilepaderegulationchemical-safetyregulatory-captureenvironmental-rollback
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick overhauled the $42.5B BEAD broadband program to adopt “tech-neutral approach” allowing satellite providers like Starlink to receive $10-20B instead of expected $4.1B, while directing staff to “increase satellite usage regardless of other …
Howard LutnickDepartment of CommerceElon MuskStarlinkconflict-of-interestregulatory-capturestarlinkbroadbandmusk-benefits
President Trump missed the February 19 deadline to disclose private donors for his presidential transition, breaking a long-standing transparency practice. By declining federal funding of $19.4 million, Trump avoided requirements to cap donations at $5,000 per person and publicly list donor details.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSusie WilesGeneral Services Administrationregulatory-captureexecutive-powercampaign-financetransparency