A new bill would tackle political corruption by establishing a new federal enforcement agency — here's why that's important:
Dan Weiner
@danw329.bsky.social
Director, Elections and Government Program, Brennan Center for Justice @ NYU Law. Previously, Senior Counsel, FEC. Husband. Dad. 🇺🇸🏳️🌈✡️
BREAKING: Today Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is introducing legislation that would create a powerful new federal enforcement agency to fight political corruption.
In an important decision, Arizona’s supreme court ruled that corporate campaign contributions are not protected speech under the state constitution — a departure from the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling. Learn more by subscribing to State Court Report’s free newsletter: bit.ly/45IXZ0M
This is no ordinary dispute over national security secrets. The decision to accept a luxury jet from a foreign govt for the president’s personal use was truly w/o precedent. It may not have been illegal but it was the profoundly unwise. Robust media coverage is the most impt safeguard we have here
Yashar Ali 🐘@yasharali.bsky.social · 4w ago1. BREAKING Federal agents delivered subpoenas to several New York Times journalists after the Times published a story revealing that the new Air Force One, the jet gifted by Qatar, lacked key security features found on the older Air Force One.
A few takeaways from yesterday’s decision by SCOTUS to strip away yet more campaign finance safeguards — specifically rules that limited national political parties from coordinating spending with candidates.
We had a fantastic conversation. Please listen and consider subscribing to the podcast!
Brennan Center@brennancenter.org · 2mo agoAmericans agree: Corruption is a huge problem. Listen as Brennan Center experts discuss our surprising new poll results. bit.ly/4omRxXD
The problem of dark money in elections is getting worse, resulting in a political system with less information and less accountability. bit.ly/4uvXfb9
Money in Politics Roundup — May 2026
As midterm races heat up, we review major developments in campaign finance, from dark money loopholes to new levels of entanglement between Trump’s business and his presidency.
brennancenter.org
BREAKING: we released a new poll of registered voters this morning showing record levels of concern across the political spectrum about government corruption. 92 percent said it was a big problem. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Poll: Voters Want Solutions for Government Corruption
Overwhelming majorities across parties see corruption as a major problem and back measures to limit self-dealing by officials and the influence of money in politics.
brennancenter.org
This is an extraordinary story of favorable legal and regulatory treatment being doled out to the crypto and prediction market industries.
The New York Times@nytimes.com · 2mo agoUnder the Trump administration, a government watchdog agency for a specialized sector of the financial markets has purged career officials, dialed back crypto enforcement and boosted industries in which the president’s family is heavily invested, a New York Times investigation found. trib.al/8CPnHzh
As I read the ongoing coverage of DOJ’s “lawfare” slush fund and other looting of taxpayer dollars I keep coming back to this conversation we had last week in DC. Outrage is not enough. We need real reforms to rein in impunity and lawlessness at the top of government. www.youtube.com/live/9zpgV2Q...
Ending the Era of Political Corruption
YouTube video by Brennan Center for Justice
youtube.com
Fantastic conversation. Thank you for having me!
Sludge@sludge.bsky.social · 3mo ago"It's more concentrated than it has ever been. Not only can super PACs raise unlimited amounts of money, but they can now work hand-in-glove with candidates." We spoke with @danw329.bsky.social of the Brennan Center about the rise of crypto and AI super PACs.
"The campaign finance landscape, and the lack of any real limits, has opened up this opportunity for industries," notably Big Tech, looking to influence government policy, @danw329.bsky.social told @sludge.bsky.social in @thenation.com. Often, at the expense of ordinary people. #[bit.ly/4fzyEOC
Crypto and AI-Funded Super PACs Are Metastasizing
They’ve amassed more than $322 million in 2026—with much more to come.
thenation.com
All of us, regardless of our politics, need to think long and hard about whether we want to live in a country where the powerful can engage in this kind of self-dealing. It doesn’t have to be this way. There are solutions — we just need the political will to enact them.
Brennan Center@brennancenter.org · 3mo agoThe DOJ's settlement bars the IRS from pursuing pending tax audits of Pres. Trump, his family and businesses, potentially opening the door to violations of the Constitution's Domestic Emoluments Clause. Congress must act to ensure it is fully enforced.
Recent filings show President Trump made at least $220 million from stock trades this year. This is possible because presidents are not subject to the same ethics laws other federal employees are. For more on how Congress can close this loophole:
Nine Solutions for Political Corruption
A new era of anticorruption reform is long overdue.
brennancenter.org
I am excited for this panel discussion we are hosting at the National Press Club in DC tomorrow. Join us in person or online! www.brennancenter.org/events/endin...
Ending the Era of Political Corruption
Experts discuss the dangers of corruption and opportunities for change.
brennancenter.org
President Trump's Truth Social post about his phone call with Apple CEO Tim Cook sets up a potentially dangerous expectation "that CEOs of powerful companies should just call him up and offer homage, and in exchange get favors," @danw329.bsky.social told @cnbc.com.
Trump recounts Tim Cook call to 'kiss my ass,' in stark look at White House dealmaking
Tech executives from Amazon, Apple, Google and Meta have dined with Trump and donated millions to his inauguration fund and the White House ballroom.
cnbc.com
The tech giant Palantir has some thoughts about the future of our Republic. This is your daily reminder that today’s unprecedented concentration of wealth and political power isn’t an inevitability. It’s a policy choice.
It’s great to see elected leaders focus on corruption — and emphasize real solutions that address the problem in a systemic way. apnews.com/article/demo...
House Democrats will try anti-corruption message to gain traction against Trump
House Democrats are launching what they call an anti-corruption task force in an attempt to strengthen ethics rules and protect voting access.
apnews.com
This is an important point. Abuse of the pardon power has been a concern for many years, but combined with expanded presidential immunity the stakes become much higher.
Tom “T.M.” Wolf@tomtmwolf.bsky.social · 4mo agoYour daily reminder that the Supreme Court’s decision to gift criminal immunity to presidents who also hold the pardon power makes an absolute mockery of our democracy. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
It’s becoming more and more evident that the pardon power needs to be reformed. Clemency is a critical avenue for mercy in our criminal justice system but it is also becoming a major vector for high-level corruption (and not only under Trump).
The Wall Street Journal@wsj.com · 4mo agoPresident Trump has repeatedly promised his top administration officials pardons before he leaves office, according to people who have heard his comments.
Under weak campaign finance laws, wealthy donors are increasingly hiding behind non-profits to anonymously donate large sums of money to political campaigns. “We are moving toward a system where transparency is just optional,” @danw329.bsky.social told @nytimes.com.
Wealthy Donors Are Hiding Political Money in Secretive Nonprofits
nytimes.com
The potential for corruption in the federal government goes beyond the president – it exists in all 3 branches. Solutions "require Congress to take decisive action. There is no alternative," @danw329.bsky.social wrote in @time.com.
How Profits Took Over American Politics
President Trump's family has profited from his time in office. But the problem of money in politics bigger than him.
time.com
Corruption in the federal government does not begin and end with the president — or is unique to one party. @danw329.bsky.social urges Congress to advance reforms addressing corruption in all three branches, via @time.com: bit.ly/4biVl5S
Astonishing stat from the NYT: Billionaires were responsible for 19 percent of all money contributed in the 2024 election, a legacy of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/u...
Billionaires Are Swaying Elections in All Corners of America
nytimes.com
This is what happens when you effectively have no ethical rules at the top of government — virtually limitless opportunities for insider profiteering.
Mike Levin@mikelevin.org · 5mo agoIt appears that a Polymarket account called "Magamyman" made $515,000 in a single day betting on last night's U.S. strike on Iran, with the first trade placed 71 minutes before the news broke publicly.
“Any attempt by this administration to seize or ban mail-in ballots or voting machines during an election would” violate federal laws prohibiting interference with elections, says @lizagoitein.bsky.social.
Read the laughable legal memo behind the claim that Trump can declare a national voting emergency
There are “four immediately obvious problems” with this, legal expert Liza Goitein said.
democracydocket.com
The SAVE Act could block millions of Americans from voting. It is not common sense. If passed, it would be the first time in history Congress passed a vote suppression law. #SOTU
MAGA Inc., the main super PAC supporting President Trump, has raised $305 million since the 2024 election. “Because there are virtually no restrictions on what super PAC money can be used for, it...can be operated as a slush fund," @danw329.bsky.social told @apnews.com.
Trump boasts of over $1.5B in political funds. How he chooses to spend it could rock the midterms
President Donald Trump says he's amassed a collection of campaign funds exceeding $1.5 billion, an unprecedented sum for a lame-duck president.
apnews.com
I am always happy to talk to my original hometown paper, the @startribune.com. I was interviewed for this thoughtful piece on the record breaking donations big Minnesota companies made to the president’s inauguration and how their political spending is changing. www.startribune.com/target-lobby...
After inauguration gift, Target dials back D.C. lobbying in Trump’s second term
The Minneapolis-based retailer spent less on traditional lobbying but about the same if its $1M gift to President Donald Trump’s inaugural fund is counted.
startribune.com