CREW
@citizensforethics.org
CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) fights for the democracy Americans deserve and aims to build a government that is accountable, transparent and ethical. citizensforethics.org
If by "protect ethics" you mean corruptly rake in billions of dollars, then yes, Donald Trump has done more of that than any president in history.
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 5h agoSen. Cynthia Lummis says on her crypto bill that "the president agreed to an ethics provision that no president has ever agreed to. He's gone further to protect ethics than any president in history, yet the Democrats want more." 🙃
Former congressman George Santos has been fined $35,000 by the CFTC for attempting to place bets on his State of the Union attendance in February and has been banned from Kalshi for 3 years. Let's keep holding former and current officials accountable.
George Santos got busted for manipulating political betting markets—and seems to have little remorse
"Touché bitches lets see who wins!"
motherjones.com
The Senate is expected to vote on Todd Blanche's AG nomination today. Blanche’s leadership demonstrates that his commitment to pleasing Trump comes before his allegiance to the Constitution. That's why the Senate has one job: reject Blanche.
Senate should reject Blanche’s nomination for attorney general - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Confirming Todd Blanche as AG would solidify the DOJ's transformation into an agency working in the interest of Trump, rather than that of American citizens.
citizensforethics.org
Following intense pressure from Congress, late last night, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a written statement rescinding the order creating the $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that was part of a collusive “settlement” between Trump and the DOJ.
BREAKING: We just sued the Treasury Department for illegally withholding information about who is receiving settlement money from its Judgement Fund. Taxpayers need to know whether Jan. 6ers and Trump allies are getting massive payouts from the federal government.
CREW sues Treasury Department for concealing January 6th settlement details - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
The Treasury Department is illegally concealing who is receiving settlement money from its Judgment Fund, obscuring whether January 6th insurrectionists are receiving payouts.
citizensforethics.org
The DOJ has admitted in court that damage to the Reflecting Pool resulted from mistakes in installation by a contractor. This was a no-bid contract, which may have violated contracting laws. As we said in our complaint in June, this contract must be investigated.
Interior IG should investigate contracts awarded to Trump admin associates - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
The Trump admin may have run afoul of federal contracting and ethics laws when it awarded contracts for renovations of the Reflecting Pool and Lafayette Park fountains to Trump associates. Interior IG...
citizensforethics.org
The Trump admin is asking Congress for $10 million to pay for Freedom 250 events recently held on the National Mall, including a prayer event, a fair and a fireworks show. That's on top of the $150 million Congress already appropriated. Where did that go?
Trump administration seeks $10 million more for Freedom 250 events
The Interior Department has asked Congress for more money to pay for National Mall events marking the country’s 250th anniversary.
washingtonpost.com
In the nearly 3 years since announcing his candidacy for a second term as president, Donald Trump has filed lawsuits and claims demanding over 70 BILLION DOLLARS.
Trump has filed lawsuits and claims demanding over $70 billion since second term candidacy announcement - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Trump has filed lawsuits and claims demanding over $70 billion since he declared his candidacy for office in November 2022.
citizensforethics.org
The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed its vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination. That gives us another chance to remind everyone why he’s unfit to lead the Justice Department. 🧵
Trump reported more than $117 million from foreign business revenue in 2025. Not only is that a record, it’s almost as much as he reported making in his entire first term in office, which was at least $149 million.🧵
The average Cabinet Inspector General office has shrunk by 19% since December 2024. With fewer staff, watchdog offices are producing 6% fewer audits and 25% fewer investigative reports—leaving less independent oversight of the federal government.
Inspectors general are conducting fewer oversight reports after 18 months of upheaval
In a new report, the Partnership for Public Service noted that the average Cabinet inspector general office has shrunk by 19% since the end of 2024.
govexec.com
NEW: The DOJ’s Civil Division claims it is unaware of any responsive records related to Trump v. IRS, according to a response to CREW's FOIA request. It's a striking confirmation of the irregular, collusive process that produced an enormously corrupt result.
DOJ division that should have handled Trump IRS lawsuit has no record of it - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
The Department of Justice’s Civil Division claims not to be aware of any responsive records related to the Trump v. IRS settlement. The Department of Justice’s Civil Division claims not to be aware of...
citizensforethics.org
Four members of Congress who sit on committees that directly regulate SpaceX have a family stake in the company’s stock. Yes, these are conflicts of interest. No, this should not be allowed.
Family of US Rep. Dan Meuser bought stock in Musk’s SpaceX
Dan Meuser, a Republican who represents PA’s 9th congressional district, chairs a subcommittee that directly regulates Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
spotlightpa.org
The Trump admin admitted that they canceled more than $7.5 billion in federal grants for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed Trump in the 2024 election. This unethical retribution should concern every American.
Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him
nytimes.com
NEW: The weaponization of government power and resources to target, intimidate, punish or reward certain individuals, groups or corporations based on their political loyalty is one of the most glaring crises we face today. Here are six reforms we should consider.
6 potential reforms to protect against government weaponization - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
One of the most glaring crises we face today is the weaponization of government power. These are 6 potential reforms to protect against that.
citizensforethics.org
Trump's golf trips have cost taxpayers at least $101.2 MILLION in just 14 months of his second term. Each visit to Mar-a-Lago costs about $3.4 million thanks to Air Force One flights, transport planes and large security teams.
Trump's golf trips cost US taxpayers over $100 million in 14 months
Trump's golf trips in 14 months cost US taxpayers $101.2 million, exceeding first-term pace. Critics slam spending amid affordability crisis.
britbrief.co.uk
NEW: We just filed a lawsuit against the DOJ, IRS and Treasury Department after they failed to respond to our records request about the negotiations to settle Trump's $10 billion IRS lawsuit. The public deserves transparency into how this collusive "settlement" came together.
CREW sues for communications on IRS “settlement” negotiations - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Communications between Trump's private attorneys and the DOJ concerning Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS should be released.
citizensforethics.org
Some senators across both parties are questioning a plan by Trump’s media company to sell real-time access to Truth Social posts to Wall Street firms—further enriching the president. Sen. Chuck Schumer said it's "the exact definition of insider trading."
Senators Question ‘Insider’ Access to Trump Truth Social Posts
Senators in both parties are questioning a plan by President Donald Trump’s media company to sell real-time access to Truth Social posts to Wall Street firms.
bloomberg.com
Here's the problem with President Trump's failure to impose an ethics pledge for his administration: When staffers leave, there's no policy stopping them from immediately lobbying the agencies they just left. So that's exactly what they're doing.
Former Trump Officials Are Lobbying the Agencies They Just Left
A Sludge review of Q2 lobbying disclosures found multiple revolving-door hires from the Trump White House are already lobbying the very agencies they just left, after President Trump declined to issue...
readsludge.com
Trump’s crypto industry allies are touting the new “ethics” provision in the CLARITY Act to try to gain more support for the bill. The only problem: the provision is completely useless against Trump’s crypto profiteering.
NEW: Trump has filed lawsuits and claims demanding over $70 BILLION since November 2022—more than ten times his net worth. No modern president has used litigation like this to pressure media companies, individuals and even government entities into caving to his demands.
Trump has filed lawsuits and claims demanding over $70 billion since second term candidacy announcement - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Trump has filed lawsuits and claims demanding over $70 billion since he declared his candidacy for office in November 2022.
citizensforethics.org
The Trojan horse was a gift too. Air Force One never should have been gifted from another country. That raises serious corruption and national security concerns.
The Trump admin said its withholding $1 billion in Medicaid funds from California and Minnesota until they can provide proof that certain claims were legitimate. To be clear: using the powers of government to punish your political enemies is not okay.
Trump Officials Withhold $1 Billion in Medicaid Funds From 2 States
The administration accused California and Minnesota of fraudulent activity in their public health insurance programs.
nytimes.com
President Trump's social media company is selling faster access to his posts (which often move markets) for $100,000 per month. The *entire* business model here is corruption. Every American should be outraged.
Why Wall Street Firms Are Paying $100,000 a Month for a Fast Track to Trump Posts
Traders who already monitor the president’s pronouncements with automated systems can pay for an ultrafast feed. At least five firms have signed up.
wsj.com
Let’s talk about the joke of a congressional stock trading ban that the House passed last night. This is a real corruption issue that deserves a real solution, not a messaging bill so riddled with loopholes that it will do nothing to “stop insider trading” 🧵
In case you didn't know: Under Trump, RFK Jr. and DOGE’s leadership, the CDC’s total workforce dropped by about 3,000 employees—that’s 1 in 4 CDC staff members. Then, they made it optional to monitor the cyclospora parasite that’s affecting thousands of people across the US.
NEW: The Jan. 6 insurrection left American taxpayers with $2.7 billion in costs that were never recovered. Now, convicted Jan. 6 defendants are trying to use the Federal Tort Claims Act to extract substantial and secretive payouts from the government.
January 6ers cost taxpayers $2.7 billion. Now they're seeking secret payouts. - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
January 6ers could seek negotiations for secretive payouts through the Federal Tort Claims Act should Congress fail to take action.
citizensforethics.org
NEW: We submitted testimony for today’s House Appropriations Committee hearing urging the committee to explore additional transparency provisions and legal regulations to prevent and facilitate oversight of unauthorized spending during future government shutdowns.
Oversight and Policy Letters and Testimony - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Our letters and testimony advocate for an ethical, more transparent, equitable government and help to raise awareness and drive accountability.
citizensforethics.org
Did you know that Trump made over $117 million from overseas business interests last year? A CREW analysis of his recent personal financial disclosure shows new overseas developments have created a sharp increase in revenue for the president.
Trump’s foreign revenue exploded during his first year back in office - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
President Donald Trump raked in record-high revenue of over $117 million from overseas business interests last year.
citizensforethics.org
NEW: We, along with five other orgs, just sent a letter urging the House Committee to reject a bill that would abolish the CIGIE, transfer certain CIGIE functions to the OMB and eliminate the Integrity Committee.
Oversight committee should reject legislation abolishing CIGIE - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
The House Oversight Committee should not allow CIGIE to be abolished or transfer its role to the Office of Management and Budget.
citizensforethics.org