News You Can Use Digest – June 20, 2025

National/Federal

Close Trump Allies Sponsored the Military Parade, Raising Ethical Concernscampaign contributions

DNyuz – Minho Kim (New York Times) | Published: 6/15/2025

The military parade in Washington celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army was sponsored by at least four brands that have strong financial and political ties to President Trump, raising questions about whether the event benefited his allies and supporters. Federal regulations prohibit the use of public office for the private gain of officeholders or their friends, relatives or nongovernmental affiliates, said Richard Painter, who served as the chief ethics lawyer in the White House Counsel’s Office under President George W. Bush.

Watchdog Finds Trump Administration Broke Law by Withholding Library Funds

DNyuz – Tony Romm (New York Times) | Published: 6/16/2025

The Trump administration broke the law when it withheld funding for the nation’s libraries, a nonpartisan government watchdog said, a finding that inches the White House another step closer to a legal showdown over its powers to reconfigure the country’s spending. The decision by the Government Accountability Office was the second time that oversight officials have found fault in the ways President Trump and his top aides have tried to circumvent lawmakers in their quest to reshape the federal budget so that it conforms with their political views.

After Minnesota Shooting, Some States Are More Tightly Guarding Officials’ Personal Information

MSN – Jaimie Ding (Associated Press) | Published: 6/16/2025

Lawmakers in some states are moving to delete their home addresses from online directories and Wisconsin legislators are seeking added security for a session after one Minnesota legislator was killed and another wounded in their homes in what Gov. Tim Walz described as a targeted political attack. Even before the shooting, states in recent years have stepped up efforts to shield the personal information of officials in response to high-profile attacks.

Experts Warn FEC Is a Watchdog Lacking ‘Bark or Bite’ with No Quorum

MSN – Jared Gans (The Hill) | Published: 6/16/2025

Experts are sounding alarms over the status of the FEC, which has not been able to perform much of its work. Former Commissioner Allen Dickerson’s departure from the body at the conclusion of his term gave the normally six-person FEC its third vacancy. A loss of quorum now prevents the FEC from carrying out many of its responsibilities. Dickerson said much of the focus is on the agency’s enforcement docket, but he expressed more concern about its current inability to engage on rulemaking and requests for advisory opinions to assist the public.

‘No Kings’ Rallies Draw Big Crowds to Protest Trump and His Policies

MSN – Annie Gowan (Washington Post) | Published: 6/14/2025

Americans turned out en masse in communities across the country on June 14, raucously pushing back on what they see as President Trump’s widening authoritarianism, attacks on immigrants, and deep cuts to scores of federal programs. The scenes were a stark contrast to the one planned hours later in the nation’s capital, where Trump would preside over a grandiose display of military tanks and soldiers as part of a celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday on a day that also happened to be his 79th birthday. “No Kings” participants compared the parade in Washington to something more commonly seen in autocratic countries.

Senator Confronts Colleague for ‘Terrible’ Post on Minnesota Shooting

MSN – Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) | Published: 6/16/2025

Less than 72 hours after the killing of a state representative, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota sat in the Senate chamber, waiting for one of her colleagues. In a social media post, Sen. Mike Lee appeared to blame the fatal shooting of Smith’s friend, Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman, on the political left. “It was a terrible thing to do,” Smith said. “And I wanted him to know how I felt about it, how devastating it was to see.”

Federal Employees Celebrate Their Oscar Night Under a Shadow

MSN – Maryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 6/18/2025

The Partnership for Public Service’s annual award ceremony – the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, nicknamed the Sammies – had an air of polite defiance this year, honoring problem-solvers in government at a time when the Trump administration has gone after the bureaucracy and ridiculed federal workers. What in past years has been a cheerful celebration was haunted by fears of job reductions and heightened political influence on the federal workforce.

‘Trump Inc.’: Filings show staff profited from being in the president’s orbit

Seattle Times – Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) | Published: 6/16/2025

President Trump first came to Washington as an outsider who had campaigned against the entrenched political class. But new financial disclosure filings highlight the expansion of a political cottage industry that revolves around him, one that has been quite lucrative for some of his closest aides. The filings, which are mandatory, detail the finances of dozens of officials in the two years before they joined Trump’s administration.

‘My Duty Is to Call It Out’: Judge accuses Trump administration of discrimination against minorities

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Danny Nguyen (Politico) | Published: 6/16/2025

A federal judge accused the Trump administration of “appalling” and “palpably clear” discrimination against racial minorities and LGBTQ+ Americans. U.S. District Court Judge William Young’s sweeping rebuke during a court hearing was a reference to two executive orders signed by President Trump that led the National Institutes of Health to rescind funding for research related to racial minorities and LGBTQ+ people.

Judge Blocks Trump’s Election Executive Order, Siding with Democrats Who Called It Overreach

Yahoo News – Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) | Published: 6/13/2025

A federal judge blocked President Trump’s attempt to overhaul elections in the U.S., siding with a group of Democratic state attorneys general who challenged the effort as unconstitutional. Trump’s executive order sought to compel officials to require documentary proof of citizenship for everyone registering to vote for federal elections, accept only mailed ballots received by Election Day, and condition federal election grant funding on states adhering to the new ballot deadline.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Bills to Change Alabama’s Campaign Finance Laws Fail in Legislature

Alabama Reflector – Ralph Chapoco | Published: 6/18/2025

Two bills that would have altered the state’s campaign finance laws on political parties and donations died in the Alabama Legislature this year. House Bill 6 would have prohibited political parties from disqualifying candidates who accept campaign contributions from specific organizations. Senate Bill 291 would have allowed a political party to transfer funds to local or other affiliated party organizations currently prohibited by law.

California – Press Club Sues Los Angeles, Police Chief Over Alleged Attacks on Journalists

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 6/16/2025

The Los Angeles Press Club sued the city of Los Angeles and its police chief, Jim McDonnell, over alleged police violence toward journalists covering the ongoing protests of immigration raids in the city. Law enforcement officers at the protests have routinely shot less-lethal ammunition at demonstrators, in some cases hitting and injuring members of the press. Adam Rose of the Press Club compiled a spreadsheet of more than 50 alleged incidents of potential police violations of journalists’ rights, covering the protests starting on June 6.

Florida – Miami Doubles Down on Proposal to Delay Election, Teeing Up Battle with the State

MSN – Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/13/2025

Miami officials are moving forward with a controversial proposal that would push the November election back to 2026 and give the city’s current elected officials an extra year in office, defying a written opinion from the state attorney general and a public rebuke from Gov. Ron DeSantis, both of whom say the change requires voter approval. Miami City Attorney George Wysong authored an opinion stating the city commission has the authority to move the election, rather than the change going to voters in a ballot referendum.

Illinois – Ex-Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Prison After Conviction in Landmark Corruption Case

WTTW – Matt Masterson | Published: 6/13/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to seven-and-one-half years in prison and fined $2.5 million after being convicted on bribery and other corruption charges. U.S. District Court Judge John Blakey found Madigan acted as the “central command post” of a bribery scheme involving Commonwealth Edison and repeatedly perjured himself while testifying at trial. Madigan was also convicted for his efforts to secure a valuable state board position for disgraced former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis.

Illinois – Ald. Jim Gardiner Won’t Have to Pay $20K Fine After He Is Cleared of Violating Ethics Ordinance

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 6/16/2025

Chicago Ald. Jim Gardiner will not have to pay a $20,000 fine after a hearing officer found he did not violate ethics law by directing a city employee to issue “unfounded citations” that could have forced a political foe to pay more than $600 in fines. Gardiner had been accused of targeting Pete Czosnyka, who has frequently criticized the alderperson, both on social media and by filing complaints with the city’s inspector general and the Board of Ethics.

Louisiana – Louisiana AG Investigating CVS for Sending Mass Text Messages Lobbying Against Legislation

MSN – Sara Cline and Jack Brook (Associated Press) | Published: 6/12/2025

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is investigating whether CVS improperly used customers’ personal information to send out text messages lobbying against a proposed state law that would have prohibited companies from owning both pharmacy benefit managers and drug stores. Murrill also said she plans to issue a cease-and-desist letter to stop the messages. The company’s text messages to Louisiana residents included a link to a draft letter urging lawmakers to oppose the legislation that someone could sign with their email address and send to legislators.

Maryland – A State Senator Aided a Disgraced Developer’s ‘Affordable’ East Baltimore Project

Baltimore Banner – Giacomo Bologna and Lee Sanderlin | Published: 6/15/2025

A developer with a checkered past had a vision for a narrow plot of land in East Baltimore. Ronald Lipscomb and his business partner wanted to build an apartment tower near the Johns Hopkins Hospital on a parcel that was owned by a quasi-governmental agency. There were three problems, though: the land was appraised at $5.25 million, Lipscomb needed money, and the community had questions. That is when an influential state senator, Cory McCray, stepped in and helped with all of it.

Massachusetts – A Push for More Transparency on Ballot Question Spending, Fundraising

CommonWealth Beacon – Gintautas Dumcius | Published: 6/11/2025

For an eight-month period last year during the heat of the campaign – from January to September – ballot question committees were not required to report their fundraising and spending activity to the state campaign finance office, which makes public such filings on its website. The disclosure rules in Massachusetts are far stricter for candidates for statewide office, legislative seats, and other posts, who must file monthly reports during the same period.

Michigan – Tech Flaws, Weak Rules Mar Michigan System to Shine Light on Lawmaker Conflicts

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 6/17/2025

Michigan’s beleaguered transparency portal stuttered again as lawmakers struggled to file their second-ever personal financial disclosure reports even after extending their own deadline to do so. Many of the reports state officials filed were difficult to access and decipher, undermining the public’s ability to understand potential conflicts-of-interest they sought to spotlight by approving a 2022 ballot measure.

Michigan – GOP Fundraiser Pleads Guilty in Unlock Michigan ‘Dark Money Scheme’

Bridge Michigan – Jordyn Hermani | Published: 6/17/2025

Republican fundraiser Sandra Baxter pled guilty to knowingly providing false information to state investigators during a probe into an alleged “dark money scheme.” In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Unlock Michigan launched a petition drive aimed at repealing the law that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer leaned on to issue emergency stay-at-home orders. The names of individuals who donate to a ballot question must be made public in Michigan. But it was alleged in a complaint that Unlock Michigan was circumventing this requirement by receiving money through a nonprofit tied to then-Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey.

Minnesota – Suspect in Minnesota Shootings in Custody After Wide Manhunt

MSN – Patrick Marley and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 6/15/2025

Vance Boelter, the man suspected of shooting two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses in their homes in what officials describe as politically motivated attacks, was arrested and charged after authorities scoured the rural area around where he had a home after a manhunt involving more than 100 officers. The search began after a gunman opened fire on state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife before driving to the home of state Rep. Melissa Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed, while Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, survived and remain hospitalized in serious condition.

New Mexico – Ethics Commission Sues Group for More Information About Lobbyist Advertising

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 6/18/2025

The New Mexico Ethics Commission filed a lawsuit against a nonprofit for allegedly violating the state’s lobbying law. The dispute demonstrates how the law requires varying amounts of disclosure depending on which reports groups are required to file. Should the commission win in court, Safety over Profit will have to disclose not only how much it spent, but who paid for an advertising campaign it conducted in 2024. The commission also asked a judge to impose $5,000 in penalties against the group.

New York – NY Candidates Broke Spending Records in First Year of State-Funded Matching Program

Albany Times Union – Emilie Munson | Published: 6/15/2025

Legislative candidates in New York spent more money last year than in any election in the past 25 years except one, in part due to a new program that poured millions of taxpayer dollars into state Senate and Assembly campaigns. Under the new state program, candidates in certain races collected small contributions from donors in their districts to unlock an infusion of state matching funds for their campaigns. The program’s stated intention was to shift power away from wealthy donors. The program has had an unintended consequence – has helped make legislative campaigns more expensive.

New York – Ex-New York Assembly Candidate Charged with Campaign Finance Fraud

DNyuz – Santul Nerkar, Jay Root, and Bianca Pallaro (New York Times) | Published: 6/13/2025

A former New York Assembly candidate used fake donations and forged signatures to fraudulently inflate the share of public matching funds he received in last year’s election, federal prosecutors said. Dao Yin was charged with wire fraud in a federal criminal complaint. Prosecutors said Yin abused the system by using a scheme that The New York Times found yielded him $162,000 in matching funds.

New York – NYC Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander Arrested at Immigration Court

MSN – Cedar Attanasio (Associated Press) | Published: 6/17/2025

New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents at an immigration court after he linked arms with a person that authorities were attempting to detain. Lander was released from custody after a few hours. The U.S. attorney’s office said it was investigating his actions and would decide later whether to charge him with a crime. The immigrant Lander escorted out of the courtroom was also arrested.

Ohio – Ex-FirstEnergy Officials Finally Breaking Silence on Ohio’s Biggest Bribery Scandal

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer and Laura Hancock (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/13/2025

Several former FirstEnergy executives and lobbyists are set to testify under immunity before state regulators over the next few weeks about the House Bill 6 bribery scandal and their involvement in it. Dennis Chack, FirstEnergy’s former senior vice president of branding and marketing, was the first to take the stand during a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio hearing.

Ohio – Ohio House, Senate Budgets Eliminate Agency Tasked with Campaign Finance Oversight

Ohio Capital Journal – Nick Evans | Published: 6/17/2025

The Ohio Senate approved a two-year spending plan that eliminates the Ohio Elections Commission. Negotiators from the House and Senate still have a vast array of differences to hammer out, but both chambers advanced proposals that axed the state campaign finance watchdog. Several lawmakers have bristled at the pace and demands of Elections Commission hearings. They argue the agency takes too long reach a decision, and hearings held in Columbus demand too much of their time.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Commission Approves Prosecuting State Representative for Campaign Finance Misuse

KOSU – Thomas Pablo | Published: 6/13/2025

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission will prosecute state Rep. Ajay Pittman for failure to pay the penalties she owed after agreeing to a settlement agreement for campaign expenditure violations in 2024. Pittman agreed to repay $35,000 out of her personal finances last May. This reportedly represented full compensation for Pittman’s alleged use of campaign funds for personal expenditures.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Commission Triples Fine for Former OLCC Chief in Liquor Diversion Scandal

MSN – Maddie Khaw (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 6/13/2025

The state ethics commission voted to increase the fine against former Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission Director Steve Marks from $500 to $1,500 after he reserved a bottle of a popular bourbon for himself. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission had previously rejected the lower penalty for Marks after it determined he had set aside and purchased a bottle of expensive 23-year Pappy Van Winkle for personal use from the liquor agency’s reserve stock, violating three ethics rules.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Commission Votes to Launch Investigation into Former Sewer CEO’s Food, Travel Spending

MSN – Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 6/13/2025

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted to further investigate whether questionable spending on local meals and travel by the former head of Washington County’s sewer agency violated state ethics law. The vote came after the commission opened a preliminary review into former Clean Water Services Chief Executive Officer Diane Taniguchi-Dennis in March following a media investigation that uncovered lavish travel spending and sky-high food expenses at the sewer agency. A noteworthy amount of that spending was by Taniguchi-Dennis.

South Carolina – SC Representative Charged with Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

Yahoo News – Skylar Laird (South Carolina Daily Gazette) | Published: 6/13/2025

South Carolina Rep. RJ May will remain in jail without bond on charges of distributing child sexual abuse material. He was suspended without pay from the House pending the case’s outcome. State law requires an officeholder indicted on a felony to be suspended. May faces up to 20 years in prison, with a minimum of five years, as well as a fine of up to $250,000 if found guilty.

Virginia – Jay Jones Projected to Win Va. Democratic Nomination for Attorney General

MSN – Gregory Schneider and Laura Vozzella (Washington Post) | Published: 6/17/2025

Jerrauld Jones won the Democratic nomination for Virginia attorney general while the party’s choice for lieutenant governor was too close to call, according to election results projected by the Associated Press. The winners will join gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger in pivotal fall elections that will be watched as an off-year referendum on President Trump and on Virginia’s own ambitious Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is term-limited out of office.