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2020 is finally, finally almost over.
We’re assuming it’s been as much of a blur for you as it has for us, so here's a quick review of the year in corruption.
We’re assuming it’s been as much of a blur for you as it has for us, so here's a quick review of the year in corruption.
As hard as it may be to believe, 2020 started with Trump’s impeachment trial in January. CREW dug into Library of Congress records and found that Trump’s was the first completed trial in US history in which the Senate called no witnesses. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-reports/in-every-completed-trial-the-senate-heard-witness-testimony/
In March, the pandemic changed everything...but nothing about corruption.
We saw members of Congress dumping stocks after getting classified briefings about the pandemic, so we filed a complaint and called for members to be banned from trading stocks. https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/press-releases/crew-files-ethics-complaints-burr-loeffler/
We saw members of Congress dumping stocks after getting classified briefings about the pandemic, so we filed a complaint and called for members to be banned from trading stocks. https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/press-releases/crew-files-ethics-complaints-burr-loeffler/
We saw a massive stimulus bill with potential to help people weather the storm, but also potentially huge tax benefits to the Trump and Kushner families. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/two-tax-changes-buried-in-the-cares-act-could-save-trump-and-kushner-companies-millions/
We saw members of Congress voting against transparency for the stimulus funds, and then taking money for their businesses. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/members-of-congress-ppp-transparency/
And of course, we got a lesson in the dangers of nepotism when we saw Jared Kushner run a “shadow task force” on the coronavirus.
We filed a complaint about the group’s failure to create records and use of private emails. https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/press-releases/kushners-shadow-task-force-violate-multiple-laws/
We filed a complaint about the group’s failure to create records and use of private emails. https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/press-releases/kushners-shadow-task-force-violate-multiple-laws/
In April, we discovered that the Trump family took more trips last fiscal year that required Secret Service protection than the Obama family took in seven years. And a lot of those trips involve staying at Trump properties. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/trump-family-travel-12x-obama-family/
Trump fired Inspectors General left and right in the spring. CREW found 25 actions that Trump took to undermine IGs, including firing the IG who was investigating Elaine Chao’s ethics issues, and replacing him with someone who Mitch McConnell had vetted. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/elaine-chao-mitch-mcconnell-inspector-general/
In July, we got Trump’s financial disclosure, as well as Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s. The forms showed that even though they are passing up their taxpayer funded salaries, they’re making millions more by (corruptly) keeping hold of their businesses. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/president-trumps-2019-personal-financial-disclosure/
Ivanka Trump’s interest in Trump’s DC hotel alone made $4 million. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/jared-kushner-and-ivanka-trumps-2019-personal-financial-disclosures/
As the election got closer, members of the Trump administration completely abandoned the law and used any tool at their disposal to push for Trump’s re-election.
During the RNC, Acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf performed a naturalization ceremony on air. https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/press-releases/chad-wolf-hatch-act-complaint/
During the RNC, Acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf performed a naturalization ceremony on air. https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/press-releases/chad-wolf-hatch-act-complaint/
The Interior Department created propaganda videos promoting Trump, and in the final month before the election, 16 members of the administration violated the Hatch Act to boost Trump.
We filed complaints about it all. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-reports/sixteen-trump-administration-officials-violated-the-law-to-boost-trump-campaign-in-october/
We filed complaints about it all. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-reports/sixteen-trump-administration-officials-violated-the-law-to-boost-trump-campaign-in-october/
After the election, Trump allies mounted an anti-democratic effort to block the transition of power. The GSA administrator for weeks blocked the release of funds and Lindsey Graham suggested tampering with votes in swing states. We’re still investigating. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/foia-requests/lindsey-graham-election-tampering/
Now, CREW is looking forward.
We just released a long report on our proposals to make our government more ethical and democratic, and we’re certainly going to continue pushing for accountability for all that happened this year, and the years before. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-reports/democracy-reform-blueprint-accountable-inclusive-ethical-government/
We just released a long report on our proposals to make our government more ethical and democratic, and we’re certainly going to continue pushing for accountability for all that happened this year, and the years before. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-reports/democracy-reform-blueprint-accountable-inclusive-ethical-government/
Help CREW fight for a better government in the new year by making a matched contribution now, if you’re able. Thank you for your support, and happy new year! https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/donate-now-and-your-gift-will-be-doubled-4?source=tw122820
