LobbyComply Blog

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Donors Gave Big to DeSantis’ Marijuana Campaign After Getting $10M from Hope Florida” by Lawrence Mower and Alexandra Glorioso (Miami Herald) for MSN

Missouri: “Bill Would Ban Missouri Politicians from Using Recurring Donations to Fund Campaigns” by Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Trump Administration Backs Labor Secretary Facing Misconduct Probe” by Meryl Kornfield and Lauren Kaori Gurley (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump’s Pardons Forgive Financial Crimes That Came with Hundreds of Millions in Punishments” by Owen Auston-Babcock (NBC News) for MSN

National: “‘No Longer in My Hands’: How Hill Republicans stopped caring about DOJ releasing the Epstein files” by Hailey Fuchs (Politico) for MSN

Maryland: “Baltimore City Councilman Joined Board of Taxpayer-Funded Nonprofit He Wrote a Bill On” by Patrick Hauf (Spotlight on Maryland) for WBFF

New York: “As She Raises Millions, Hochul Isn’t Saying Who She’s Meeting With” by Chris Bragg for New York Focus

Lobbying

Washington: “Prominent Seattle Lobbying Firm Defaults on Debts, Ousts Founder” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Campaign Finance

Massachusetts: “Who’s Paying for the 2026 Ballot Questions? Mass. Senate Passes a Bill Requiring More Transparency” by John Micek (MassLive) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Recent Trump Investments Reignite Concerns Around Potential Conflicts of Interest” by Auzinea Bacon (CNN) for MSN

National: “How EPA Ethics Officials Cleared Former Industry Insiders for Regulatory Roles” by Amudalat Ajasa (Washington Post) for MSN

Minnesota: “Justice Dept. Enters New Territory with Probe of Minnesota Officials” by Patrick Marley and Yasmeen Abutaleb (Washington Post) for MSN

Minnesota: “Judge Limits ICE’s Crowd Control Tactics Following Minneapolis Shooting” by Kyle Cheney, Hassan Ali Kanu, and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News

National: “Journalists Confront New Reality in Reporting After FBI Raid” by Sarah Ellison, Patrick Marley, and Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Oklahoma: “Former Oklahoma Mental Health Department Official Settles with Ethics Commission” by Emma Murphy (Oklahoma Voice) for Yahoo News

Procurement

Nebraska: “Auditor Flags Possible Pillen ‘Favoritism’ in $2.5M No-Bid Bioeconomy Contract with Lobbyist” by Aaron Sanderford (Nebraska Examiner) for Yahoo News

National/Federal

Judge Grills Feds Over ICE Rule Blocking Lawmakers from Surprise Oversight Visits

Courthouse News Service – Ryan Knappenberger | Published: 1/14/2026

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to explain whether it was unlawfully using congressionally appropriated funds to block members of Congress from conducting surprise oversight visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. In December, U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb ruled that a new set of ICE policies requiring lawmakers to provide notice of such visits seven days in advance was likely unlawful and beyond the Department of Homeland Security’s authority, freezing the policies for the time being.

ICE and Activists Clash Over Doxing and Privacy, in Court and Streets

MSN – Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 1/15/2026

As immigration agents and protesters clash in the streets, a parallel battle is unfolding over sensitive data used to identify and hold those on the other side to account. Government officers are using new tools featuring real-time location data and license-plate tracking to investigate protesters. Activists are using burner phones and donated dash cams to counter those efforts, recording masked agents and compiling lists of names and badge numbers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The government has charged activists under criminal statutes and tried to compel online platforms to reveal the identities of activists using their sites.

FBI Executes Search Warrant at Washington Post Reporter’s Home

MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

The FBI executed a search warrant at a Washington Post reporter’s home as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials. The reporter, Hannah Natanson, was at her home at the time of the search. Federal agents searched her home and her devices, seizing her phone, two laptops, and a Garmin watch. Federal regulations intended to protect a free press are designed to make it difficult to use aggressive law enforcement tactics against reporters to obtain the identities of their sources or information.

Trump Makes Obscene Gesture, Mouths Expletive at Detroit Factory Heckler

MSN – Natalie Allison and Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

President Trump made an obscene gesture with his middle finger and mouthed an expletive to a factory employee who shouted at him during a tour of a Ford plant in Michigan, a reaction the White House said was “appropriate” given the heckling. Out of frame in a cellphone video, a person can be heard yelling “pedophile protector” just before Trump mouthed the insult, an apparent reference to the Trump administration’s handling of the investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Commerce Seeks to Strike ‘Redundant,’ ‘Obsolete’ Provisions from Lobbying Regs

MSN – Graham Thompson (The Well News) | Published: 1/14/2026

The Commerce Department wants to amend its regulations governing restrictions on lobbying, specifically to remove “redundant, obsolete and inefficient provisions.” The regulation slated for the changes is the decades-old 15 CFR Part 28, a set of rules that implemented government-wide restrictions on the use of appropriated funds for lobbying activities in connection with federal contracts, grants, loans, and cooperative agreements.

Washington’s New Lobbyists: Paid online influencers with few rules

MSN – Maggie Severns, Natalie Andrews, Josh Dawsey, and Eliza Collins (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 1/11/2026

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has transformed the federal government and upended the business of lobbying, creating a new class of Washington operatives that blur the lines between consulting, advocacy, and journalism. Corporate and foreign interests that used to rely primarily on paid lobbyists to pitch their case to lawmakers and administration officials are instead pouring money into trying to get their cause promoted by a group of young, conservative influencers known to be close to Trump’s staff.

Sen. Mark Kelly Sues Hegseth Over Censure, Potential Demotion

MSN – Noah Robertson and Tara Copp (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

Sen. Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s letter of censure and effort to potentially demote the retired Navy officer, escalating a confrontation over a video reminding U.S. service members they can refuse illegal orders. Kelly’s lawyers argued the Pentagon’s inquiry and formal reprimand, unlawfully punished the senator for his speech and violated his due process.

House Votes to Subpoena Journalist Over Report on Delta Force Commander

MSN – Scott Nover and Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 1/8/2026

A House Oversight Committee vote to subpoena journalist Seth Harp over his reporting on the U.S. military operation in Venezuela has raised concerns among press freedom watchers, who say the action disregards First Amendment guarantees. The day after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Harp shared on X a photograph and biography of a military officer he identified as the commander of the Army’s Delta Force unit, which played a central role in the Caracas operation. Harp later wrote on X that the social media site locked his account until he deleted the post.

Smithsonian Removes Trump Impeachment Text as It Swaps His Portrait

MSN – Samantha Chery, Janay Kingsberry, and Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) | Published: 1/10/2026

The National Portrait Gallery removed a swath of text that mentioned President Trump’s two impeachments and the  insurrection at the Capitol as it swapped out a prominent photo of him. It replaced a photo accompanied by a longer caption recounting Trump’s first term and his reelection. “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials,” it read in part.

Justice Department Opens a Criminal Investigation of Fed Chair

MSN – Andrew Ackerman and Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 1/11/2026

The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Board Chairperson Jerome Powell, tied to the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters along the National Mall. Powell accused the Justice Department of using the threat of criminal prosecution to pressure the central bank to lower interest rates, describing newly issued grand jury subpoenas as an unprecedented challenge to the Fed’s independence.

Virginia and Maryland at Center of Congressional Redistricting Battle

MSN – Erin Cox, Teo Armus, and Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

In what could be Democrats’ last wave of mid-cycle redistricting, the Virginia and Maryland Legislatures will each convene with national party leaders pushing them to redraw congressional maps and net as many as five seats to help build an advantage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats in both states will hold majorities and the governor’s seat as debate unfolds, and they have been heavily lobbied for months to press for as many seats as possible, efforts that have had mixed results.

Top Prosecutors in DC., Minneapolis Leave Amid Turmoil Over Shooting Probe

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

Multiple senior prosecutors in the District of Columbia and Minnesota are leaving their jobs amid turmoil over the Trump administration’s handling of the shooting death of a Minneapolis woman. The departures include at least five prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis, including the office’s second-in-command. The Minnesota resignations followed demands by Justice Department leaders to investigate the widow of Renée Good, the woman killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot into her car.

These Prosecutors Spent Years on Cases. Then Trump Granted Pardons.

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

White-collar and public corruption cases are among the most resource-intensive for the Justice Department to pursue. Prosecutors, FBI agents, and other specialists often work for years to build such cases, following money trails and interviewing scores of witnesses before they even file an indictment. More than half a dozen experienced prosecutors said Trump’s clemency acts have eroded faith among current and former Justice Department employees that the cases they devote years to prosecuting will lead to accountability.

Trump Is Trying to Change How the Midterm Elections Are Conducted

MSN – Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

President Trump, fearful that a Congress controlled by Democrats could investigate him, impeach him, and stymie his agenda, is using every tool he can find to try to influence the 2026 midterm elections. Many of these endeavors go far beyond typical political persuasion, challenging long-established democratic norms. They include demands that Republican state lawmakers redraw congressional districts before the constitutionally required 10-year schedule, the prosecution of political opponents, a push to toughen voter registration rules, and attempts to end the use of voting machines and mail ballots.

Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133-12 in His Favor

Seattle Times – Mattathias Schwartz and Emma Schartz (New York Times) | Published: 1/11/2026

President Trump has found a powerful but obscure bulwark in the appeals court judges he appointed during his first term. They have voted overwhelmingly in his favor when his administration’s actions have been challenged in court in his current term, an analysis of their 2025 records shows. Appellate judges chosen by Trump in his first term repeatedly reversed rulings made by District Court judges in his second, clearing the way for his policies and gradually eroding a perception early last year that the legal system was thwarting his efforts to amass presidential power.

Several of Kennedy’s Dietary Advisers Have Ties to Meat and Dairy Interests

Seattle Times – Alice Callahan and Maggie Astor (New York Times) | Published: 1/11/2026

Soon after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as the nation’s health secretary, he promised to overhaul the federal nutrition guidelines. A key step, he said, would be to “toss out the people who were writing the guidelines with conflicts-of-interest.” His own panel, he said, would “have no conflicts-of-interest.” But the new guidelines, which emphasize protein, meat, cheese, and milk, were informed by a panel of experts with several ties to the meat and dairy industries.

From the States and Municipalities

California – No Campaign? No Problem. Inside California Political Elites’ Shadowy Spending

MSN – Nicole Nixon and Kate Wolffe (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 1/11/2026

The indictment of Dana Williamson, a former top aide to Gov. Gavin Newsom, opened a window to Sacramento’s campaign finance ecosystem, showing the ways that lawmakers, lobbyists, consultants, and interest groups use accounts to trade money, time, and access. A review of more than 100 accounts and lobbying records reveals how two types of accounts in particular – ballot measure committees and campaign accounts held by ex-lawmakers – are commonly used to shore up political connections and help elected officials live large, while spending little, if anything, on campaigns those accounts were ostensibly designed to support.

California – Federal Judges Allow California to Use New US House Map Ahead of 2026 Election

MSN – Trân Nguyễn (Associated Press) | Published: 1/14/2026

California can use a new voter-approved U.S. House map that is designed to boost Democrats in the 2026 midterms, a federal three-judge panel ruled. The complaint accused California of violating the Constitution by using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters when drawing the new district lines. The map, aimed at giving Democrats a shot at flipping as many as five House seats next year, was decisively approved by voters through Proposition 50 in November.

Colorado – Opportunity Caucus Lawmakers, in Response to Ethics Complaints, Say They Didn’t Violate Gift Ban by Attending $32,000 Vail Retreat

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven | Published: 1/9/2026

A group of state lawmakers say they did not violate Colorado’s gift ban when they attended a retreat at a ritzy hotel in Vail in October with lobbyists but still will not say where they got the money to pay for legislators’ hotel rooms, food, and drinks, totaling $32,000. In response to complaints against the lawmakers filed with the Independent Ethics Commission, the lawmakers say they are in the clear because their caucus covered the $32,671.15 tab with money given to the group.

Colorado – Colorado Appeals Panel Skeptical of Sentencing for Former County Clerk Who Breached Election Systems

MSN – Colleen Slevin (Associated Press) | Published: 1/14/2025

A Colorado appeals court panel seemed skeptical that a judge could use former county clerk Tina Peters’ insistence on spreading election conspiracy theories as part of the reason to sentence her to nine years in prison for orchestrating a data breach of election equipment. The three-judge panel was dismissive of many of the arguments made by Peters’ attorneys. But they grilled the state’s lawyer over the trial judge reciting Peters’ false statements about elections in handing down her sentence.

Florida – She Made a Facebook Comment About Her Mayor. Then the Police Arrived.

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

Raquel Pacheco began recording on her phone as she opened her front door to the pair of police officers standing outside. They told her they had questions about a Facebook comment she had written about Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. The now-public tussle over Pacheco’s Facebook comment is another salvo in a battle between activists across the country and authorities whom they accuse of stifling speech about divisive political topics.

Illinois – Supreme Court Says Candidates Can Challenge Vote Counting Rules

Yahoo News – Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 1/14/2026

Candidates for public office can sue in advance over vote counting practices they contend are illegal, the Supreme Court ruled. The justices said U.S. Rep. Rep. Michael Bost of Illinois can proceed with a lawsuit challenging a practice President Trump has long decried: counting ballots received after Election Day.

Indiana – ‘Paid Protester’ Lobbying Bill Advances to Senate Floor with ‘Substantial’ Edits Expected

Yahoo News – Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/13/2026

Legislation requiring paid political influencers to report to Indiana lobbying regulators heads to the Senate floor despite major concerns from regulators and First Amendment advocates, and the author’s admission the bill was drafted in a rush. The bill focuses on “influence campaigns,” defined as attempts to mobilize the public to take some action or contact state officials, including via protest.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Says Judge Can Spend Campaign Money on His Role as Mardi Gras Krewe Royalty

MSN – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/15/2026

A Jefferson Parish judge who has been chosen king of a Carnival krewe can spend his campaign money to purchase merchandise for his role, according to the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Judge Adrian Adams, who is up for reelection this year, specifically asked if he could use political contributions to purchase cups, beads, and other carnival favors bearing his name and image to be given out at parades and other Mardi Gras festivities.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Might Seek Exemption for Elected Officials to New Privacy Law

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/14/2026

The Louisiana Board of Ethics might seek an exemption from a new privacy law that allows current and retired judges, and soon hundreds of other public officials, to remove their personal information from its online records and website. The board’s staff recommended it ask state legislators to write an exception into the statute for documents the board oversees. Lawmakers would have to approve a change to the law, and their legislative session begins March 9.

Louisiana – Landry Can Appoint Three More Members to Ethics Board, Controlling Majority of Panel

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/9/2026

Gov. Jeff Landry has the power to appoint three more members to the Louisiana Board of Ethics this year, giving him control over the majority of the entity that enforces campaign finance and government transparency laws. Three of the 15 board members’ terms expired January 1. The governor controls all seats now open to new appointees. He selected five new members last year. Appointing three more would give him a slim majority of eight members.

Michigan – Before Road Funding Deal, Road Builder Money Flowed to Michigan Lawmakers

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 1/9/2026

Less than two months before Michigan lawmakers finalized a historic deal to pump as much as $2 billion a year into road repairs, a slew of road construction executives whose companies will benefit from the spending opened their checkbooks at an upscale steakhouse in metro Detroit. Those donations more than doubled compared to prior years as House Speaker Mike Hall and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for a bipartisan road funding deal, according to an analysis by Bridge Michigan.

Mississippi – FBI Tracked Jackson Leaders Years Before 2023 Sting, Documents Show

Yahoo News – Charlie Drape (Clarion Ledger) | Published: 1/14/2026

The FBI was secretly tracking former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens nearly a year before federal prosecutors said their public corruption case began. The records were made public as part of Owens’ motion to dismiss his 2024 indictment, in which his lawyers attached hundreds of documents, including FBI emails, confidential informant reports, and discovery materials produced by prosecutors. Owens argues the government improperly targeted and entrapped him.

New Mexico – Lawmaker Streamlines Lobbyist Disclosure Bill for Second Try

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 1/12/2026

New Mexico Rep. Sarah Silva filed a bill that requires lobbyists or their employers to file a report within 48 hours of when they start lobbying on legislation. The reports must identify the specific bill, their position on it, and which employer is paying them to lobby. Because the upcoming legislative session is a short “budget” session, the governor must add the lobbying transparency bill to lawmakers’ agenda in order for them to consider and vote on the measure.

New York – Former Adams Aide Tony Herbert Arrested on Sweeping Federal Bribery Charges

Yahoo News – Molly Crane-Newman, Chris Sommerfeldt, Thomas Tracey, and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) | Published: 1/13/2026

Tony Herbert, a former official in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and longtime fixture in New York City politics, was arrested by federal authorities on sweeping public corruption charges alleging he took bribes and kickbacks during his time at City Hall. The indictment alleges he was engaging in public corruption during his stints in Adams’s Community Affairs Unit and as Citywide Public Housing Liaison.

North Carolina – NC Warns Supreme Court Candidate Over ‘Prohibited’ Lobbyist Campaign Donation

MSN – Kyle Ingram (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 1/13/2026

The North Carolina State Board of Elections sent a warning letter to Rep. Sarah Stevens, the Republican candidate for the state Supreme Court, after she was accused of violating the law by accepting political contributions from two lobbyists. State law prohibits sitting lawmakers from accepting campaign donations from a lobbyist, even though the donation was for Stevens’ judicial campaign.

North Dakota – Financial Disclosures for North Dakota Officials, Candidates Now Available for Free Online

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 1/12/2026

A new website allows members of the public to view the financial interest statements of North Dakota political candidates and other elected or appointed officials. Moving forward, the public will be able to download the forms for free online. State filings previously were maintained as paper records and could only be accessed by submitting a request to the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, which could involve a fee.

Ohio – Judge Clears Way for Householder’s State Trial in HB 6 Scandal. Yost Has This Warning

MSN – David Gambino (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/8/2026

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder will continue to face state felony charges stemming from the House Bill 6 scandal after a Cuyahoga County judge denied his motion to dismiss the case. Common Pleas Judge Kevin Kelley Householder’s arguments that investigators exceeded their authority, Cuyahoga County was an improper venue, and several charges were time‑barred and should have been filed only as misdemeanor campaign finance offenses.

Oregon – Facing $25M Request, Oregon Lawmakers Again Float Delaying Historic Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 1/13/2026

Multiple Oregon lawmakers of both parties have expressed support for delaying implementation of the state’s law that will limit political contributions and increase transparency. Top officials of the secretary of state’s office have requested $25 million in the upcoming legislative session to keep the implementation of the law on track. But they have said that amount is only a “placeholder” estimate, largely because the agency has not yet hired a contractor to create some of the technological infrastructure required by the law. Without further guidance and additional funding, agency officials have warned the rollout of the law could be botched.

Oregon – Longtime Oregon Lawmaker Admits to Ethics Violation, But Fails to Disclose Business Client

Portland Oregonian – Les Zaitz (Salem Recorder) | Published: 1/9/2026

For the second time in a year, state Rep. Greg Smith has conceded violating Oregon law by not fully disclosing clients of his private consulting company. Smith agreed to a letter of education from the Government Ethics Commission over the violation. That sanction is standard for the commission in matters concerning disclosures.

Rhode Island – Foulkes Wants to Ban Lobbyist Donations During Legislative Sessions

MSN – Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) | Published: 1/12/2026

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes is calling on her 2026 election rivals in Rhode Island to renounce donations from lobbyists this year, just as the traditional political fundraising season kicks into high gear. Foulkes says all statewide officeholders and General Assembly members, plus anyone running for those offices, should not be allowed to accept contributions from registered lobbyists during the annual legislative session.

Texas – Fort Bend Rep. Gary Gates Passed a Bill That Helped His Business. Now He’s Suing to Be Sure It Sticks.

MSN – Eric Dexheimer (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 1/14/2026

When state Rep. Gary Gates passed legislation closing an affordable housing loophole that threatened to cost Texas cities hundreds of millions of dollars in lost property tax revenue, he considered the law one of his biggest-ever legislative achievements. Gates owns and manages low-income housing properties. His new law shut the door on controversial local government agencies that had inked hundreds of deals across the state. Developers who profited from the deals challenged the new rules in court. Gates, acting in his private capacity as an affordable-housing landlord, joined the legal battle opposing the developers.

Virginia – Trump Officials Fire High-Ranking Prosecutor in Virginia Amid Turmoil

MSN – Salvador Rizzo, Perry Stein, and Steve Thompson (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

A veteran prosecutor who was recruited to help run a key U.S. attorney’s office in Virginia was abruptly dismissed after disagreements with the Trump administration. Robert McBride was first assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia for about two months, starting after President Trump and his administration purged the top prosecutors in the office and ordered that criminal charges be filed against two of the president’s perceived political opponents, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Washington – Mayor Katie Wilson Pays Small Fine for Child Care Help During Campaign

Seattle Times – David Kroman | Published: 1/14/2026

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson paid $250 for failing to report more than $10,000 in payments made by her parents to help with childcare during her 2025 campaign. Because, according to Wilson’s own account, the money was given to allow her more financial flexibility to campaign for office, the payments should have been reported as in-kind contributions, concluded Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

Washington – Board Finds Reasonable Cause Ferguson Violated Ethics Law

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 1/11/2026

The Washington State Executive Ethics Board found “reasonable cause” to believe Gov. Bob Ferguson violated the law by bringing his former top aide onto a state plane last year. The board voted to accept the findings of a staff investigation that found Ferguson illegally “provided a special privilege” to Mike Webb, his longtime former top aide, “by allowing them passage on a state aircraft.” State law generally prohibits the use of state resources for private gain.

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “NC Warns Supreme Court Candidate Over ‘Prohibited’ Lobbyist Campaign Donation” by Kyle Ingram (Raleigh News and Observer) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Top Prosecutors in DC., Minneapolis Leave Amid Turmoil Over Shooting Probe” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Sen. Mark Kelly Sues Hegseth Over Censure, Potential Demotion” by Noah Robertson and Tara Copp (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Several of Kennedy’s Dietary Advisers Have Ties to Meat and Dairy Interests” by Alice Callahan and Maggie Astor (New York Times) for Seattle Times

New York: “Former Adams Aide Tony Herbert Arrested on Sweeping Federal Bribery Charges” by Molly Crane-Newman, Chris Sommerfeldt, Thomas Tracey, and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) for Yahoo News

Oregon: “Longtime Oregon Lawmaker Admits to Ethics Violation, But Fails to Disclose Business Client” by Les Zaitz (Salem Recorder) for Portland Oregonian

Lobbying

Indiana: “‘Paid Protester’ Lobbying Bill Advances to Senate Floor with ‘Substantial’ Edits Expected” by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) for Yahoo News

Redistricting

National: “Virginia and Maryland at Center of Congressional Redistricting Battle” by Erin Cox, Teo Armus, and Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Michigan: “Before Road Funding Deal, Road Builder Money Flowed to Michigan Lawmakers” by Simon Schuster for Bridge Michigan

Ethics

National: “Justice Department Opens a Criminal Investigation of Fed Chair” by Andrew Ackerman and Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133-12 in His Favor” by Mattathias Schwartz and Emma Schartz (New York Times) for Seattle Times

National: “They Say They’re Monitoring ICE Arrests. Feds Say They’re Breaking the Law.” by Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Teo Armus, Erin Patrick O’Connor, and Robert Klemko (Washington Post) for MSN

North Dakota: “Financial Disclosures for North Dakota Officials, Candidates Now Available for Free Online” by Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

National: “Washington’s New Lobbyists: Paid online influencers with few rules” by Maggie Severns, Natalie Andrews, Josh Dawsey, and Eliza Collins (Wall Street Journal) for MSN

New Mexico: “Lawmaker Streamlines Lobbyist Disclosure Bill for Second Try” by Marjorie Childress for New Mexico In Depth

Rhode Island: “Foulkes Wants to Ban Lobbyist Donations During Legislative Sessions” by Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) for MSN

Campaign Finance

California: “No Campaign? No Problem. Inside California Political Elites’ Shadowy Spending” by Nicole Nixon and Kate Wolffe (Sacramento Bee) for MSN

Oregon: “Oregon Secretary of State Asks for $25M to Implement Historic Campaign Finance Law, Warns Final Price Tag Could Be Higher” by Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Smithsonian Removes Trump Impeachment Text as It Swaps His Portrait” by Samantha Chery, Janay Kingsberry, and Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “House Votes to Subpoena Journalist Over Report on Delta Force Commander” by Scott Nover and Kadia Goba (Washington Post) for MSN

Louisiana: “Landry Can Appoint Three More Members to Ethics Board, Controlling Majority of Panel” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

Ohio: “Judge Clears Way for Householder’s State Trial in HB 6 Scandal. Yost Has This Warning” by David Gambino (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Washington: “Board Finds Reasonable Cause Ferguson Violated Ethics Law” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Colorado: “Opportunity Caucus Lawmakers, in Response to Ethics Complaints, Say They Didn’t Violate Gift Ban by Attending $32,000 Vail Retreat” by Taylor Dolven for Colorado Sun

National/Federal

Capitol Riot ‘Does Not Happen’ Without Trump, Jack Smith Told Congress

MSN – Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 12/31/2025

The January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol “does not happen” without Donald Trump, former special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers in characterizing the Republican president as the “most culpable and most responsible person” in the criminal conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The House Judiciary Committee released a transcript and video of a closed-door interview Smith gave about two investigations of Trump. It shows how Smith, during a daylong deposition, defended the basis for pursuing indictments against Trump and vigorously rejected Republican suggestions his investigations were politically motivated.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Gutted of Federal Funds, Votes to Dissolve

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 1/5/2026

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s (CPB) board of directors voted to dissolve the organization, ending the 58-year-old agency that distributed federal funds to NPR, PBS, and more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations. The move formalizes the shutdown that began this summer after Republicans in Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in funding at President Trump’s behest. CPB leaders said they chose dissolution over maintaining a dormant organization that could become manipulated by new stewards acting without public media’s best interest at heart.

Hegseth Announces Censure and Potential Demotion of Sen. Mark Kelly

MSN – Dan Lamothe and Tara Copp (Washington Post) | Published: 1/5/2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he formally censured Sen. Mark Kelly and launched administrative proceedings against Kelly to consider whether to reduce his Navy rank in retirement, the latest twist in a dispute about the senator’s political commentary. Hegseth said as a retired Navy officer, Kelly is “still accountable to military justice,” and he repeated unfounded allegations that Kelly has made “seditious statements.” The dispute centers on a video in Kelly and five other Democrats reminded U.S. troops they can disobey illegal orders, infuriating President Donald Trump.

Trump Ends Effort to Keep National Guard in Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland

MSN – Lauren Kaori Gurley and Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 12/25/2025

President Trump announced he is pulling the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, although the troops already had a limited presence because the states involved had sued to block their deployment. Troops remain on the ground in New Orleans and Memphis, with support from state officials, and in the District of Columbia, where the mayor does not have control over the National Guard. The president’s retreat follows the administration’s setbacks in lawsuits aimed at removing the National Guard from cities in blue states.

Hegseth’s Remade Press Corps Covers Venezuela Raid with Praise, Not Probing

MSN – Scott Nover and Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 1/7/2025

The U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro marks the first major test for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s overhauled Pentagon press corps, a crop of right-wing influencers and media personalities that took over the coverage desks of traditional news organizations, whose journalists surrendered their Pentagon credentials months ago rather than agree to restrictions on their reporting. Mainstream journalists have continued to cover the events from the outside, though some of them say the additional challenges they face in getting answers from government leaders could erode their ability to shed light on the aftermath of Maduro’s capture.

More Than 2 Million Epstein Documents Still Unreleased, Officials Say

MSN – Kelly Kasulis Cho (Washington Post) | Published: 1/6/2026

More than 2 million documents regarding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein remain to be released, Justice Department officials told a federal judge, offering the most precise estimate so far of the size of the file still under review. Those reviewing the unreleased documents must determine whether each one falls under the law’s broad mandate, review the documents to redact information that could identify victims, and respond to requests from victims or their family members for additional redactions. Officials offered similar explanations for a delay in releasing all unclassified Epstein documents n December, after the Justice Department failed to meet its deadline.

Judge Orders Lindsey Halligan to Explain Why She Keeps Using US Attorney Title

MSN – Melissa Quinn (CBS News) | Published: 1/7/2026

A federal judge ordered Lindsey Halligan to explain why she continues to identify herself as a U.S. attorney despite a different judge finding her appointment as the top federal prosecutor in eastern Virginia was invalid. U.S. District Court Judge David Novak gave Halligan seven days to provide the basis for her use of the title and ordered her to explain why her identification as U.S. attorney “does not constitute a false or misleading statement.” U.S. District Court Judge Cameron Currie ruled in November that Halligan’s appointment as interim U.S. attorney violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause and a federal law governing U.S. attorney vacancies

Rep. Steny Hoyer to Retire, Ending Storied Career in Elected Office

MSN – Paul Kane (Washington Post) | Published: 1/7/2026

Rep. Steny Hoyer will not run for reelection and end a nearly six-decade career in elected office that spanned his rising-star days in Maryland government to a two-decade run as the number two U.S. House Democrat. Now three years out of leadership, Hoyer remains an active legislator but feared ending up like many other elderly lawmakers, becoming physically or mentally frail in their final days in office.

The Data Center Rebellion Is Here, and It’s Reshaping the Political Landscape

MSN – Evan Halper (Washington Post) | Published: 1/6/2026

From Archibald, Pennsylvania, to Page, Arizona, technology firms are seeking to build data centers in locations that sometimes are not zoned for such heavy industrial uses, within communities that had not planned for them. These supersize data centers can use more energy than entire cities and drain local water supplies. Anger over the perceived trampling of communities by Silicon Valley has entered the national political conversation and could affect voters of all political persuasions in this year’s midterm elections.

The Supreme Court May Leave Alone the Voting Rights Act Just Long Enough to Keep the GOP from House Control in 2026

MSN – Samuel Benson and Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 1/8/2026

It appears Kansas will not join the parade of states engaging in mid-decade redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, meaning Johnson County will remain in one congressional district. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins told reporters he does not have the votes necessary to pass a new map over the all-but-certain veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

How New Protest Laws Are Impacting Political Demonstrations

MSN – Akilah Johnson (Washington Post) | Published: 1/2/2026

More than a dozen states that have cracked down on protests in recent years, passing laws that often equate political demonstrations with riots in ways that First Amendment experts say could be illegal. Since 2017, 23 states have passed at least 55 laws to address how and when people can protest. Some laws mandate at least 30 days in jail for rioting – often loosely defined as a group involved in tumultuous or potentially violent behavior – while others restrict protests on college campuses or imprison and fine people who block sidewalks, streets, and highways.

Mail-In Voting Faces New Hurdle as Postal Service Formalizes Postmark Practice

Yahoo News – Anna Liss-Roy (Washington Post) | Published: 1/3/2026

A change in how the U.S. Postal Service postmarks letters could discount the ballots of thousands of last-minute voters. Many Americans have long assumed that tax returns, ballots, and other mailed documents sent on deadline would be marked as sent the day they are dropped in a mailbox. But the Postal Service announced it was making no such guarantees about postmarks. Its new guidelines say a postmark might come days later, when mail is processed at a regional facility. Fourteen states provide a grace period allowing mail ballots to be counted if they arrive after Election Day if they are postmarked by then.

The Political Divide Over January 6 Is Only Deepening Five Years After the Deadly US Capitol Attack

Yahoo News – Annie Grayer and Marshall Cohen (CNN) | Published: 1/6/2026

Five years after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the fundamental facts of that day continue to fuel deep divisions that have created dueling political realities. The Democratic lawmakers who dedicated 18 months of their careers to the comprehensive House investigation are grappling with how the truth about President Trump’s role can break through in this current political moment, where Trump continues to claim he won the 2020 election and has taken significant steps to reward rioters and deflect blame for the attack.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Ex-Arizona Lawmaker Who Questioned Election Integrity Gets Probation for Using Forged Signatures

MSN – Jacques Billeaud (Associated Press) | Published: 1/6/2026

A former Republican lawmaker who questioned the integrity of Arizona’s elections and served as a leader for the conservative group Turning Point Action was sentenced to probation and a five-year ban on running for public office for using nominating petitions that contained forged signatures in a bid to qualify for a 2024 primary election. Austin Smith acknowledged trying to use petitions with forged signatures that he knew were false and forging a dead woman’s signature on a nominating petition.

Arkansas – Concerns Rise After Governor Appoints 2nd Lobbyist to Arkansas Board of Corrections

MSN – Andrew Mobley (KATV) | Published: 1/7/2026

Recent appointments by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the Arkansas Board of Corrections have drawn scrutiny from a state senator and a Franklin County resident running for Senate District 26, who are concerned that half the appointees work for prominent lobbying firms. State Sen. Bryan King Senate District 26 independent candidate Adam Watson say not only do the governor’s four appointments last year to the seven-member board stack the deck in her favor as she pursues building a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County, but they also create conflicts-of-interest.

California – SF Official’s ‘Great Betrayal’ Ends in Prison for $600K Theft of City Funds

MSN – Olivia Hebert (SFGATE) | Published: 1/6/2026

A former high-ranking San Francisco city employee was sentenced to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony counts tied to a yearslong public corruption scheme that siphoned more than $627,000 from the city’s workers’ compensation system. The sentence follows Stanley Ellicott’s arrest in March 2024, when officials announced 62 felony charges tied to the scheme. At the time, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins described the case as a “great betrayal.”

California – SF Accused a Nonprofit of Corruption and Lost. Now the City Is Appealing

MSN – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 1/5/2026

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu is not giving up the legal battle he lost against a nonprofit at the center of an ethics scandal over its deep ties to a former city official. Two months after a hearing officer rejected arguments that the nonprofit Collective Impact should be barred from city funding for allegedly bribing former San Francisco Human Rights Commission Executive Director Sheryl Davis, Chiu is appealing the decision.

Connecticut – Connecticut Election Regulators Face First Test of New Foreign Contribution Ban

MSN – Paul Hughes (CT Insider) | Published: 1/3/2026

A 2024 state law that prohibits foreign nationals from making political contributions or expenditures under Connecticut’s campaign finance laws is posing a novel legal question for in-house lobbyists working for foreign-owned businesses. A lobbyist for the government relations firm Gaffney Bennett and Associates petitioned the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a declaratory ruling clarifying whether state residents who are U.S. citizens and in-house lobbyists on the payroll of corporations owned by foreign parent companies can make personal contributions to Connecticut campaigns.

District of Columbia – Why D.C.’s Next Council Member Will Be Chosen by Lawmakers, Not Voters

MSN – Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) | Published: 1/7/2026

The next new member of the District of Columbia Council will not be elected by voters but will instead be selected by the council itself, in a process that has already elicited frustration from some lawmakers. Councilperson Kenyan McDuffie resigned his seat to set up a mayoral run. City law says it is up to the council to select an interim replacement, but the law is vague on exactly how lawmakers should go about choosing their new colleague.

Hawaii – $35K Mystery Payment: Bill would extend time to prosecute

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 1/8/2026

Hawaii campaign finance regulators would be given more time to investigate the case of an unnamed lawmaker who accepted $35,000 in a paper bag from a man involved in a federal bribery investigation in 2022 under a proposal expected to go before lawmakers in the upcoming session. The U.S. attorney’s office has stated the transaction was not related to the bribery investigation. But it could still be a violation of state campaign spending law.

Indiana – Indiana Employers Face Yearlong Public Works Contract Ban Under Immigrant Work Eligibility Bill

Yahoo News – Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/8/2026

A bill to close so-called loopholes in Indiana’s employment eligibility verification law could bar employers who purposefully flout the requirements from taking part in public works projects for a year. Public work project contracts entered into or renewed after June 30 would have to include a provision requiring the primary contractor and all tiers of subcontractors to enroll in E-Verify, an internet-based federal program that cross-checks a new hire’s eligibility to work in the U.S.

Maryland – Ethics Complaint Clouds Opening of Howard Office Charged with Detecting Fraud, Waste

MSN – Kiersten Hacker (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 1/7/2026

Howard County’s new Office of the Inspector General was created to detect fraud, waste, and abuse, but an ethics complaint about the selection process for its leader has some county leaders questioning the new office’s own ethics. Others say the allegations are unfounded, or “silly and desperate.” The complaint involves the process of selecting Kelly Madigan and alleges a conflict-of-interest involving Steven Quisenberry, who worked with Madigan in Baltimore County and will now lead that county’s Office of the Inspector General.

Minnesota – Walz Drops Bid for Reelection as Minn. Governor While Klobuchar Considers Run

MSN – Hannah Knowles, Dan Merica, and Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) | Published: 1/5/2026

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he is dropping his bid for reelection, a dramatic turn for the two-term governor who now faces scrutiny over welfare fraud investigations in his state. Walz was tapped as Kamala Harris’s running mate in 2024 and viewed as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. Democrats had grown increasingly worried about Walz’s choice to seek a third term as Republicans, including President Trump, put a spotlight on the growing fraud probe.

Minnesota – ICE Shooting Reinforces Minnesota’s Grim Role as Trump’s Public Enemy No. 1

MSN – Nicholas Riccardi and Steve Karnowski (Associated Press) | Published: 1/8/2026

Federal officers have encountered opposition in nearly all the cities targeted by President Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign. But it was in Minnesota that a 37-year-old woman was shot and killed by an immigration officer. Trump has focused on several blue states in his second term, and now he has turned to Minnesota, where the killing of George Floyd and the protests it sparked stained his first presidency.

New York – Judge Disqualifies US Attorney in Albany Investigating Letitia James

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 1/8/2026

A federal judge ruled President Trump’s acting U.S. attorney in Albany is unlawfully serving in his role and tossed subpoenas his office issued as part of an investigation into actions by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge concluded that John Sarcone III, appointed in March as interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, had served beyond the 120-day expiration date for that position and the administration’s efforts to keep him beyond that deadline did not withstand legal scrutiny. He is the fifth Trump-appointed interim U.S. attorney who has been disqualified from serving in such a role.

North Carolina – Bob Phillips Retires from Common Cause NC, the Pro-Democracy Group He Helped Grow to Prominence

Yahoo News – Lynn Bonner (NC Newsline) | Published: 1/5/2026

For nearly a quarter century, when debates over voting laws, gerrymandering, or money in politics enveloped North Carolina, Bob Phillips has been in the thick of them. That era will end in January when Phillips retires from day-to-day advocacy work. As the leader of Common Cause North Carolina since 2001, Phillips has helped to shape anti-corruption laws and organize support for voting rights. He has worked with other groups to remove obstacles to voting and increase government transparency and try to overturn election districts they argued were unfair.

Ohio – FirstEnergy to Pay $275 Million to Ohio Customers Over HB 6 Corruption Scandal

MSN – Laura Hancock (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/7/2026

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a settlement agreement to provide FirstEnergy customers $275 million in restitution after the company violated state laws in the passage of the House Bill 6, a controversial energy bill that was the largest corruption scheme in state history. Maureen Willis, agency director of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which represents utilities customers before the commission, said the settlement provides accountability.

Ohio – Larry Householder, Matt Borges Ask US Supreme Court to Review Cases at Heart of Their HB6 Convictions

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/5/2026

Imprisoned ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio Republican Party Chairperson Matt Borges have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit two court rulings underpinning their corruption convictions in connection with the House Bill 6 bribery scandal. If successful, their requests would not only open the door to throwing out their convictions but rewrite decades-old legal precedent for what constitutes political bribery in America.

Tennessee – Judge Spares Tennessee Lawmaker Prison Time in Corruption Case Where Trump Pardoned Ex-Speaker, Aide

MSN – Jonathan Mattise (Associated Press) | Published: 1/5/2026

A federal judge reduced a prison sentence to probation for a former Tennessee lawmaker whose testimony helped convict the former state House speaker and his onetime aide of public corruption. Although her cohorts were pardoned by President Trump, ex-Rep. Robin Smith had been slated to report to prison for an eight-month sentence. But U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson reduced it to one year of probation.

Texas – 350 Texas Teachers Targeted for Posts About Charlie Kirk, Lawsuit Says

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 1/6/2026

The Texas chapter of the country’s second-largest teachers union sued in federal court to block state education officials from investigating educators’ comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing last year, alleging they violated free speech protections. The lawsuit filed by the Texas American Federation of Teachers appears to be the first to challenge a state policy investigating complaints about teachers’ comments in the wake of Kirk’s shooting, in part because Texas and Florida state superintendents were the only ones to solicit such complaints.

Virginia – After Virginia Judges’ Misconduct Became Public, Lawmakers Reinstated Secrecy

Yahoo News – Ben Paviour (Virginia Mercury) | Published: 1/5/2026

At the end of every year, state agencies, boards, and commissions in Virginia churn out dozens of annual reports. Last year, one notable document was missing – the 2024 annual report from the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission (JIRC). The report for the first time contained the names and misdeeds of Virginia judges who were disciplined by the seven-member commission for violating the commonwealth’s judicial cannon. But a brief window of transparency shut last year, when lawmakers unanimously passed a bill specifying that they would be the first ones to see JIRC’s annual report and decide if it is ever made public.

Wisconsin – Judge Hannah Dugan Resigns from Court Weeks After Federal Jury Finds Her Guilty

MSN – Mary Spicuzza and John Diedrich (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 1/3/2026

In the face of an effort to impeach her and remove her from the bench, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan announced she is resigning. The announcement came weeks after a federal jury found Dugan guilty of obstructing federal immigration agents seeking to make an arrest outside her courtroom. Dugan was found not guilty of concealing a wanted person.

Secretary of State Michael Howe announced a major upgrade to North Dakota’s Campaign Finance System and launched a new Statement of Interests System on January 1. The upgraded Campaign Finance Reporting System will provide a user-friendly interface for reporting campaign finance donations and expenditures for political candidates and committees. Interested parties are invited to attend a demonstration and Q&A session related to using the public search capabilities from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, January 26. A link to join the virtual demonstration will be available at https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections by January 16.

National/Federal

Kennedy, Other Trump Officials Balk at Requests to Testify on Capitol Hill

MSN – Theodoric Meyer, Dan Diamond, and Noah Robertson (Washington Post) | Published: 12/27/2025

When Sen. Bill Cassidy announced in February he would vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary despite concerns about his skepticism of vaccines, Cassidy said he had secured a commitment from Kennedy to testify before the committee Cassidy chairs once a quarter if asked. But Kennedy has not come before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee since May, and he is hardly the only administration official who has frustrated senators by failing to show up.

With More Than a Million Pages to Go, Justice Struggles with Epstein Files

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 12/24/2025

The Justice Department has had a choppy and often frenetic rollout of the massive Epstein investigatory files. In mid-November, Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which ordered the release of nearly all unclassified government files on Epstein by December 19, with necessary redactions to ensure the identities of victims are protected. More than a week past the deadline, the department appears to still be struggling to get its arms around the massive project and find an orderly way to make the files available to the public.

Trump Suffers Several Defeats in Effort to Punish Opposing Lawyers

MSN – Julian Mark (Washington Post) | Published: 12/28/2025

Since taking office for the second time, President Trump has suffered multiple losses in his efforts to strip security clearances from political opponents and prestigious law firms. With several of those cases working through the courts, the issue could become one of the next Supreme Court fights over presidential power. The president’s latest loss came when a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s efforts to strip a security clearance from national security attorney Mark Zaid.

Pipe Bomb Suspect Told FBI He Targeted US Political Parties Because They Were ‘in Charge,’ Memo Says

MSN – Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 12/28/2025

The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen and he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge,” prosecutors said. The allegations were laid out in a Justice Department memo arguing Brian Cole Jr., who was arrested on charges of placing pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican national committees, should remain locked up while the case moves forward.

‘I Ultimately Had to Comply’: ’60 Minutes’ EP faces fallout after Bari Weiss shelves story

MSN – Liam Scott and Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 12/22/2025

The executive producer of “60 Minutes” responded to criticism after CBS News abruptly pulled a segment on the Trump administration’s deportations, telling colleagues in a private meeting she stood by the investigation but could not allay the concerns of the network’s editor in chief, Bari Weiss. The last-minute change has fueled internal tension at “60 Minutes” and CBS News, with some staffers arguing the decision hamstrings the network’s reporters. The segment’s correspondent, Sharyn Alfonsi, called the decision “political” in an internal email to producers.

Why Trump’s EEOC Wants to Talk to White Men About Discrimination

MSN – Taylor Telford (Washington Post) | Published: 12/30/2025

In December, the nation’s leading workplace civil rights enforcer took to social media to pose a question: “Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?” Andrea Lucas, chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), appeared in the video, urging those who have to contact the agency. It was an unusual move, because the EEOC does not typically solicit complaints. But it underscores the sea change at an agency central to President Trump’s civil rights agenda, one that began with executive orders gutting the last vestiges of affirmative action.

Can Congress Find a Path on Government ‘Jawboning’ Limits?

MSN – Allison Mollenkamp (Roll Call) | Published: 12/24/2025

Members of both parties want government officials to stop putting pressure on social media platforms to censor speech but turning that stance into law would require getting specific about what kind of pressure is inappropriate, and what those censored can do about it. U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairperson Ted Cruz has said he will “soon introduce” legislation that would “provide transparency” about government contacts with social media companies and allow individuals to sue if their speech has been indirectly censored due to government pressure, known as jawboning.

Kennedy Center Changed Board Rules Months Before Vote to Add Trump’s Name

MSN – Janay Kingsberry and Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) | Published: 12/31/2025

The Kennedy Center adopted bylaws earlier this year that limited voting to presidentially appointed trustees, a move that preceded a unanimous decision by board members installed by President Trump to add his name to the center. Legal experts say the move may conflict with the institution’s charter. Trump took over the Kennedy Center in February, purging its board of members he had not appointed. The months that followed saw struggling ticket sales and programming changes that began to align the arts complex with the Trump administration’s broader cultural aims.

The Federal Government’s Top Watchdog Has Retired. Now Congress Has to Pick a Replacement.

MSN – Jennifer Scholtes (Politico) | Published: 12/30/2025

For the first time in nearly two decades, Congress is on the hunt for a new boss at the federal government’s top watchdog agency. With the retirement of Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, congressional leaders are now supposed to recommend candidates for President Trump to nominate for a 15-year term to lead the Government Accountability Office. That person would lead the agency as it works through dozens of investigations into whether the Trump administration broke the law by withholding billions of dollars Congress previously approved.

Twins in Congress: Nehls brothers and a potentially history-making transition

MSN – Nick Eskow (Roll Call) | Published: 12/31/2025

Trever Nehls is the identical twin brother of U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, and he is running for his brother’s seat in the midterms. The three-term Trump loyalist was quick to endorse his brother after announcing he would not be running for reelection in 2026. If Trevor Nehls wins, it will be the first time in U.S. history that a member of Congress is succeeded in office by their identical twin.

The Plot to Redraw America

Politico – Adam Wren and Andrew Howard | Published: 12/31/2025

President Trump’s top political aide, James Blair, pitched a novel gambit to Trump – Republicans could begin padding their narrow U.S. House majority well before voters went to the polls in November 2026 through redistricting. If successful, the move could insulate the White House from a potentially brutal midterm election. But things did not go quite as planned, as Trump triggered a conflict he could not easily win. Republicans fell far short of the 18 congressional seats which party strategists initially believed they could flip, and whatever gains they did make likely came at significant enduring cost for Trump’s White House.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Arizona Bill Aims to Shield Small-Dollar Donors’ Information

MSN – Zachery Schmidt (Center Square) | Published: 12/29/2025

Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh pre-filed a 2026 bill designed to protect the information of small-dollar campaign donors. Under Senate Bill 1006, campaign finance reports would not include personal information on donors who give $200 or less. The only exception would happen if donors give their permission.

California – Why Do California Cities, Counties Pay Millions to Lobby Their Own Statehouse?

MSN – Andrew Graham (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 12/21/2025

Through the first three quarters of this year, the 35 largest California cities have spent a combined $3.4 million in public funds on private lobbying firms. Only two cities on that list did not report hiring a lobbying firm. City and county officials interviewed by The Sacramento Bee said such fees were necessary expenditures for local governments competing with each other and with private industries in a political system flooded with lobbying and campaign finance dollars. But the spending raises questions about equity between rich and poor cities.

Florida – After 20 Years of Florida’s Gift Ban, Some Would Like to Make a Return

MSN – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 12/25/2025

Florida’s gift ban, which prohibits legislators and others in top roles in state government from accepting anything of value from lobbyists or the principals that hire them, took effect January 1, 2006. In the years since its passage, the law has either been ignored or sidestepped in various ways, while making it awkward for a lawmaker to accept token items such as a bottle of water. But Tom Lee, the former state Senate president who championed the legislation, still thinks it was the right thing to do.

Georgia – Bill Eliminates Last Minute Ethics Complaints in Georgia Elections

Yahoo News – Kim Jarrett (Center Square) | Published: 12/29/2025

A bill that took effect on January 1 bars Georgia’s State Ethics Commission from investigating complaints filed 60 days or fewer before an election. Senate Bill 199 will also require PACs that make contributions or expenditures on behalf of candidates to have separate bank accounts.

Illinois – Supreme Court Blocks National Guard Deployment to Chicago Area

MSN – James Romoser (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 12/23/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Trump from sending the National Guard into the Chicago area, dealing a rare loss to the president on an issue of executive power. The decision, issued in an unsigned order on the court’s emergency docket, is the first time the justices have weighed in on Trump’s efforts to dispatch the military to American cities. Though the order is preliminary and applies only in Illinois, it suggests the court is unwilling to rubber-stamp Trump’s assertions of broad authority to use the National Guard to manage protests and violent crime.

Iowa – Dems Tout Another Special Election as a Boost for Their Party Ahead of Midterms

MSN – Kelly Kasulis Cho and Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 12/31/2025

West Des Moines City Councilperson Renee Hardman won a special election for a state Senate seat in Iowa, denying Republicans the opportunity to regain a supermajority in the chamber and handing the Democratic Party a large-margin victory ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Hardman will be the first Black woman to serve in the Iowa Senate. Democrats tend to over-perform in off-year races and special elections, but in the wake of 2024 losses, the party has attributed several recent off-year gains around the country to national momentum against President Trump and Republicans.

Maine – Conservative Groups Push Back on Maine Law in Latest Campaign Finance Court Battle Filing

Maine Morning Star – Emma Davis | Published: 12/22/2025

The conservative groups that sued Maine over a voter-approved law that established stricter regulations on money in elections filed their rebuttal in the case, claiming it violates free speech. In 2024, voters overwhelmingly passed a law that set a $5,000 limit on contributions to PACs that independently spend money to try to support or defeat candidates, commonly referred to as super PACs. Those behind the law welcomed the lawsuit as it was a key part of their ultimate goal: to get the U.S. Supreme Court to regulate super PACs.

Maryland – Lobbyists Spend Big on ‘Committee Dinners’ with Maryland Lawmakers

MSN – Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) | Published: 12/30/2025

Energy companies, climate advocacy groups, nonprofits, trade associations for nurses, restaurateurs, and chicken farmers, and many other groups took Maryland legislators out for dinner over the last lobbying year. The meals are part of a long-standing practice known as committee dinners that dates back more than 30 years. Del. Joe Vogel is taking aim at the legislative perk with a bill that would bar lobbyists, corporations, and special interest groups from taking lawmakers out on the town, except in a few limited circumstances.

Massachusetts – Mass. Legislation Aims to Point Light at Dark Money in Local Politics

Cape Cod Times – Sam Drysdale (State House News Service) | Published: 12/23/2025

Legislation requiring public disclosure for people and groups spending significant sums to influence town meeting votes is gaining some traction in Massachusetts. House Bill 806 won initial approval and would amend the law to cover spending aimed at influencing the outcome of warrant articles taken up at the local government level. The bill would apply statewide but is driven in part by spending intended to influence short-term rental and housing decisions on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Massachusetts – Lawmakers Push for Tighter Disclosure Rules on Ballot Question Funding

WBUR – Sam Drysdale (State House News Service) | Published: 12/30/2025

Facing a potentially crowded and costly 2026 election cycle, Massachusetts lawmakers advanced legislation to tighten disclosure rules for ballot question campaigns and reveal who is funding them. The votes signal interest among lawmakers in updating laws that critics say have not kept pace with the scale and sophistication of modern ballot campaigns. The Ballot Spending Transparency Act would expand what ballot question committees must report to state regulators, increase the frequency of required filings, and more clearly define non-cash political support that currently can remain largely out of public view for much of a campaign cycle.

Michigan – Benson Declines to Rule on Constitutionality of Michigan Endorsement Conventions, Concerns Persist

Yahoo News – Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) | Published: 12/22/2025

Election lawyers from both sides of the political spectrum said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson correctly declined to issue a declarative ruling on whether the major party’s endorsement conventions were constitutional. But the attorneys, in interviews with Michigan Advance, were split on whether the initial concerns of potential special-interest meddling in party decisions at those conventions – engaging in so-called bribery of delegates in the worst-case scenario or pushing issue advocacy influence campaigns as a lesser evil – held water.

Minnesota – HHS Freezes All Child Care Funding for Minnesota

MSN – Jacob Wendler (Politico) | Published: 12/30/2025

The Department of Health and Human Services froze hundreds of millions of dollars in childcare funding for Minnesota, the latest in a series of moves against Gov. Tim Walz’s administration as it attempts to manage allegations of fraud. The funding freeze comes as Minnesota faces probes by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security over allegations the state’s Democratic leaders were complicit in exploiting federal funds for nutrition and childcare.

New Jersey – Man at Center of Murder-for-Hire Plot Says Corruption Probe Was a ‘Sham’

New Jersey Monitor – Nancy Solomon | Published: 12/23/2025

When campaign consultant Sean Caddle pleaded guilty in 2022 to murder-for-hire, he was allowed to remain at home for nearly two years while he cooperated with federal prosecutors on a political corruption investigation. But that probe went nowhere, and now a series of prison interviews with Caddle raises questions about why the U.S. attorney’s office in Newark was not able to bring charges stemming from a sweeping “pay-to-play” scheme that Caddle ran.

New York – NYC Board Probes Pro-Cuomo PACs Spearheaded by Finance CEOs

MSN – Laura Nahmias (Bloomberg) | Published: 12/22/2025

New York City’s Campaign Finance Board is probing whether a group of PACs that spent more than $20 million supporting Andrew Cuomo’s unsuccessful bid for mayor illegally coordinated with the former governor and his campaign, according to people with knowledge of the investigation. Zohran Mamdani’s campaign alleges donors gave to Put NYC First, a PAC, which then transferred funds to an array of Super PACs. These entities have fewer restrictions than traditional PACs and are allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money but are not allowed to co-ordinate with candidates or campaigns.

New York – Hung Jury Ends Trial of Ex-New York Governors’ Aide Accused of Selling Influence to China

MSN – Philip Marcelo (Associated Press) | Published: 12/22/2025

A judge declared a mistrial in the corruption case of Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors, after jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked and could not reach a verdict. Sun was accused of using her state government position to subtly advance China’s agenda in exchange for financial benefits worth millions of dollars. They say Sun also took kickbacks from Chinese companies to steer lucrative state contracts for face masks and other critical medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York – Eric Adams Reigned Over a Run of Scandal Not Seen Since Boss Tweed

MSN – Greg Smith and Yoav Gonen (The City) | Published: 12/24/2025

In his last days in office, New York Mayor Eric Adams has doubled down on attacking his corruption indictment, dismissing it as “lawfare” brought by a Biden administration angry at his criticism of policies he blamed for triggering a flood of migrants to New York City. He has repeated his mantra that the media unfairly focused on the indictment, which a federal judge was forced to void after the Trump administration dropped the case. But by any number of telling measures, Adams’ four tumultuous years at City Hall could generate a highlight reel of notoriety that would surpass that of any mayor of the 20th and 21st centuries.

North Carolina – A Company Invited Cary Staff to Dinner. The Offer Came from the Mayor.

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 12/29/2025

The engineering and land development firm WithersRavenel has a prominent presence in its hometown of Cary, North Carolina. In recent years it has helped develop the town’s downtown park and design a new fire station. One of the people helping the firm win projects beyond the town is Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, who began consulting for WithersRavenel in 2023. An action Weinbrecht took in 2023 is now raising questions about how much separation exists between his public work as mayor and his private work as a consultant.

Ohio – New Ohio Election Integrity Commission Begins to Take Shape

Ohio Capital Journal – Nick Evans | Published: 12/30/2025

Secretary of State Frank LaRose has tapped leadership for the new Ohio Election Integrity Commission. As part of last summer’s budget, state lawmakers axed the state’s existing independent campaign watchdog and replaced it with a new office under the secretary’s control. The board’s membership shrinks from seven to five, and instead of a bipartisan panel selecting a nonpartisan colleague, all commissioners will be chosen by state leaders.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Watchdog to Implement Original Election Reporting System

Oklahoma Voice – Emma Murphy | Published: 12/19/2025

After three months without a fully functioning campaign finance system, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to immediately terminate the vendor’s contract and to authorize pursuing legal action. The commission also voted to reinstate the original Guardian system operated by the previous vendor, Civix. It voted to enter into a $217,000 contract with Carahsoft, a partner of Civix, that lasts three years.

Washington – Seattle Passes New Transparency Law Aimed at Political Consultants

Seattle Times – David Kroman | Published: 12/17/2025

The Seattle City Council passed a new law requiring political consultants to register with the city when accepting taxpayer-funded work. Concerns over viability and the broadness of the original bill spurred members to cut back on some provisions, reducing it instead to a transparency-focused law that puts consultants into a similar category as lobbyists. In addition to registering with the city, consultants must say whom they are advising outside of the city and on what issues.

Campaign Finance

Massachusetts: “Lawmakers Push for Tighter Disclosure Rules on Ballot Question Funding” by Sam Drysdale (State House News Service) for WBUR

Elections

Georgia: “Bill Eliminates Last Minute Ethics Complaints in Georgia Elections” by Kim Jarrett (Center Square) for Yahoo News

Ohio: “New Ohio Election Integrity Commission Begins to Take Shape” by Nick Evans for Ohio Capital Journal

Ethics

National: “Why Trump’s EEOC Wants to Talk to White Men About Discrimination” by Taylor Telford (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Can Congress Find a Path on Government ‘Jawboning’ Limits?” by Allison Mollenkamp (Roll Call) for MSN

New York: “Eric Adams Reigned Over a Run of Scandal Not Seen Since Boss Tweed” by Greg Smith and Yoav Gonen (The City) for MSN

Washington: “Seattle Passes New Transparency Law Aimed at Political Consultants” by David Kroman for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Maryland: “Lobbyists Spend Big on ‘Committee Dinners’ with Maryland Lawmakers” by Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Arizona Bill Aims to Shield Small-Dollar Donors’ Information” by Zachery Schmidt (Center Square) for MSN

Massachusetts: “Mass. Legislation Aims to Point Light at Dark Money in Local Politics” by Sam Drysdale (State House News Service) for Cape Cod Times

New York: “NYC Board Probes Pro-Cuomo PACs Spearheaded by Finance CEOs” by Laura Nahmias (Bloomberg) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Trump Suffers Several Defeats in Effort to Punish Opposing Lawyers” by Julian Mark (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Pipe Bomb Suspect Told FBI He Targeted US Political Parties Because They Were ‘in Charge,’ Memo Says” by Eric Tucker (Associated Press) for MSN

National: “‘I Ultimately Had to Comply’: ’60 Minutes’ EP faces fallout after Bari Weiss shelves story” by Liam Scott and Scott Nover (Washington Post) for MSN

North Carolina: “A Company Invited Cary Staff to Dinner. The Offer Came from the Mayor.” by Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) for MSN

Lobbying

New York: “Hung Jury Ends Trial of Ex-New York Governors’ Aide Accused of Selling Influence to China” by Philip Marcelo (Associated Press) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Maine: “Conservative Groups Push Back on Maine Law in Latest Campaign Finance Court Battle Filing” by Emma Davis for Maine Morning Star

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Watchdog to Implement Original Election Reporting System” by Emma Murphy for Oklahoma Voice

Elections

Michigan: “Benson Declines to Rule on Constitutionality of Michigan Endorsement Conventions, Concerns Persist” by Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Kennedy, Other Trump Officials Balk at Requests to Testify on Capitol Hill” by Theodoric Meyer, Dan Diamond, and Noah Robertson (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “With More Than a Million Pages to Go, Justice Struggles with Epstein Files” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Supreme Court Blocks National Guard Deployment to Chicago Area” by James Romoser (Wall Street Journal) for MSN

Lobbying

California: “Why Do California Cities, Counties Pay Millions to Lobby Their Own Statehouse?” by Andrew Graham (Sacramento Bee) for MSN

Florida: “After 20 Years of Florida’s Gift Ban, Some Would Like to Make a Return” by Gary Fineout (Politico) for MSN

National/Federal

Trump Bashes Late Director Rob Reiner, Drawing Immediate Backlash

MSN – Amy Wang (Washington Post) | Published: 12/15/2025

Less than a day after film director Rob Reiner was found dead in his Los Angeles home, President Trump posited without evidence that the Hollywood icon was killed because he was critical of Trump. The president wrote that Reiner’s death was :”reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.” The couple’s son was arrested on a murder charge. There was no indication from the authorities that the couple’s political beliefs had anything to do with their deaths.

Trump Has Signed More Executive Orders in 2025 Than in His Entire First Term

MSN – Emily Davies, Cat Zakrzewski, and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 12/16/2025

President Trump has signed more executive orders in less than a year of his presidency than he did in his entire first term, repeatedly bypassing Congress and forcing the courts to grapple with the constitutional bounds of his power. American presidents have consolidated executive power to skirt Congress since the beginning of the 20th century. But Trump has accelerated the trend that intensified in recent decades amid a decline in legislative activity and rising partisan brinkmanship.

How a Trump Media Deal with a Crypto Firm Exposes Potential Conflicts of Interest

MSN – Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) | Published: 12/16/2025

Legal and ethics experts say Crypto.com’s journey from investigative target to a business partner of Donald Trump provides a case study of the conflicts-of interest that have arisen in Trump’s second presidency. Unlike any of his predecessors in the modern era, Trump has allowed his family businesses to enter lucrative arrangements with companies regulated by the federal government, some of which have benefited from action taken by his administration.

Rob Reiner Was More Than a Hollywood Liberal. He Was a Sophisticated Political Operator.

MSN – Melanie Mason (Politico) | Published: 12/15/2025

What qualifies as political activism in Hollywood usually starts and ends with writing a big check. Not so for Rob Reiner. The actor and director, who was found dead in his home along with his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, in a suspected homicide, was a policy maker and campaign strategist in his own right with lasting fingerprints on the political ecosystem in California and beyond.

Trump Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Says President ‘Has an Alcoholic’s Personality’ and Much More in Candid Interviews

MSN – Kevin Liptak, Alejandra Jaramillo, and Kristen Holmes (CNN) | Published: 12/16/2025

The White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, delivered a series of unusually candid and at times unflattering assessments of President Trump, his second-term agenda, and some of his closest allies in a series of wide-ranging interviews with Vanity Fair. Across more than 10 interviews, Wiles spoke frankly about working for Trump, saying the president “has an alcoholic’s personality,” despite being known as a teetotaler. She acknowledged the president’s appetite for revenge, conceding many of his second-term actions were driven by a desire for retribution.

DHS Fast-Tracked $1 Billion Contract to Pro-Trump Donor’s Company

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf (Washington Post) | Published: 12/17/2025

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fast-tracked a contract worth almost $1 billion to a company led by a donor to a pro-Trump nonprofit group where one of the officials overseeing the deal previously worked. The contract involves a DHS program called Project Homecoming that offers cash bonuses, free flights, and a “concierge service” at airports for departing migrants. The agency said nonpartisan professionals control its contracting decisions. But in the case of the Project Homecoming contract, political appointees coordinated the process.

Data Centers Have a Political Problem – and Big Tech Wants to Fix It

MSN – Gabby Miller (Politico) | Published: 12/17/2025

Tech companies and lobbyists are investing millions of dollars to tackle a new political problem for the industry: data centers, the lifeblood of the growing Artificial Intelligence economy, are becoming toxic with voters. Alarmed by elections that candidates won by campaigning against new data centers, the industry is taking out ads and funding campaigns to flip the narrative and put data centers in a positive light, spinning them as job creators and economic drivers rather than resource-hungry land hogs.

Jack Smith Tells Congress He Could Prove Trump Engaged in a ‘Criminal Scheme’ to Overturn 2020 Election

MSN – Ryan Reilly (NBC News) | Published: 12/17/2025

Former special counsel Jack Smith told a congressional committee his team found “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that President Trump engaged in a “criminal scheme” to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to portions of his opening statement. Facing a renewed wave of Republican attacks on his investigations into Trump, Smith was expected to attempt to use the hearing to correct what his team has described as mischaracterizations about the special counsel investigation.

Trump Administration Prepares Sweeping Crackdown on Leftist Networks

MSN – Eva Dou, Joseph Menn, and Will Oremus (Washington Post) | Published: 12/18/2025

The Trump administration is embarking on an expansive effort to root out what it sees as rampant left-wing domestic terrorism, raising concerns among some security experts and lawmakers that broad categories of Americans’ political speech could come under surveillance. Some of the statutes Attorney General Pam Bondi directed prosecutors to consider as they investigate extremists reflect the same charges leveled at many of the January 6 rioters, including picketing and parading with intent to obstruct the administration of justice.

Dan Bongino Announces He Is Leaving FBI Deputy Director Job in January

MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 12/17/2025

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced he will leave his job in January, after a tumultuous tenure in which he helped oversee major shifts in the bureau’s resources and dramatic dismissals of experienced agents. When Donald Trump named Bongino deputy director, the president transformed what was long a powerful career position that oversaw the day-to-day operations of the bureau into a political job with a more public presence.

Sleepy. Divisive. A Fan of Young Trump: A look at the new plaques on the Presidential Walk of Fame

MSN – Matt Brown and Bill Barrow (Associated Press) | Published: 12/17/2025

President Trump has affixed partisan plaques to the portraits of all U.S. commanders in chief, himself included, on his Presidential Walk of Fame at the White House, describing Joe Biden as “sleepy,” Barack Obama as “divisive,” and Ronald Reagan as a fan of a young Trump. The additions mark Trump’s latest effort to remake the White House in his own image, while flouting the protocols of how presidents treat their predecessors and doubling down on his determination to reshape how U.S. history is told.

House Democrats Roll Out Stock Trading Ban That Includes Trump

MSN – Riley Beggin and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 12/17/2025

House Democrats introduced their own ban on lawmakers trading stocks that would cover President Trump, probably quashing a separate bipartisan effort that has been simmering for weeks. The White House lashed out at Sen. Josh Hawley earlier this year over concerns that his proposal to ban lawmaker stock trading would apply to the executive branch; the proposal was later changed to apply to officials after their term ends, exempting Trump.

Brendan Carr Said the FCC Isn’t Independent. Its Website Quickly Updated.

MSN – Scott Nover and Ian Duncan (Washington Post) | Published: 12/17/2025

During an otherwise bland Senate committee hearing where its commissioners were testifying, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) removed the word “independent” from a description of the agency on its own website to line up with its chairperson’s live remarks. After the hearing, an FCC spokesperson said in a statement: “With the change in Administration earlier this year, the FCC’s website and materials required updating. That work continues to ensure that they reflect the positions of the agency’s new leadership.”  

From the States and Municipalities

California – LA City Attorney Accused of Ethics Breach Before Settling Major Case for $18M

LAist – Nick Gerda | Published: 12/11/2025

An investigator for the Los Angeles Police department determined an officer was at fault for driving at an unsafe speed in an accident that seriously injured two people. Facing a lawsuit, the city ultimately settled in the middle of a trial for $18 million. Days before settling, lawyers for the plaintiffs accused the elected city attorney of an ethics breach. As the case was about to go to trial, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto called an expert witness for the plaintiffs, “attempted to ingratiate herself with him and asked him to make a contribution to her political campaign,” according to a sworn declaration by the plaintiffs’ attorney.

California – LA Councilmember John Lee Hit with $138,000 Fine in Las Vegas Gift Case

MSN – David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 12/18/2025

Los Angeles City Councilperson John Lee is facing a steep fine for his notorious 2017 trip to Las Vegas, with the city Ethics Commission saying he must pay $138,424 in a case involving pricey meals and expensive nightclub “bottle service.” The commission said he committed two counts of violating the gift law and three counts of violating a law requiring that such gifts be disclosed to the public. The Lee case revolves around gifts, mostly meals and alcohol but also hotel stays, transportation, and $1,000 in gambling chips, provided by three businesspeople.

Colorado – Trump Asserts He Has Pardoned County Clerk Convicted in Colorado Case

MSN – Derek Hawkins and Alec Dent (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2025

President Trump said he pardoned Tina Peters, a former county clerk in Colorado who was convicted in state court on felony charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. It was unclear whether Trump was asserting he has the power to free Peters from state prison. She is serving a nine-year sentence. Presidents have the power to pardon defendants convicted in federal courts, but previous presidents have not claimed that authority in a state case.

District of Columbia – Appeals Court Hands Trump a Win Over D.C. National Guard Deployment

MSN – Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) | Published: 12/17/2025

An appeals court signaled it may find the National Guard deployment in the District of Columbia to be lawful, disagreeing with a lower-court judge’s opinion and issuing an order that will allow troops to stay in the city while litigation continues. A three-judge panel wrote the Trump administration is likely to succeed in its appeal of that lower-court ruling. The panel’s order was not a determination of the deployment’s legality and functioned only to allow the troops to remain pending final rulings, likely to come next year.

Georgia – Brad Raffensperger Sues to Win More Campaign Spending Power in Georgia Governor Race

MSN – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 12/8/2025

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is the latest Republican candidate for Georgia governor to attack campaign finance rules, saying they unconstitutionally limit his free speech while allowing Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to raise unlimited contributions. Safe Affordable Georgia filed suit asking a judge to rule the PAC chaired by Raffensberger can coordinate with his gubernatorial campaign in the same way that Jones’ leadership committee can.

Illinois – 2 Illinois Election Board Democrats Who Blocked Senate President Don Harmon Fines Have Ties to His Donors

Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 12/14/2025

Two Democratic members of the State Board of Elections who helped block nearly $10 million in campaign fines against Illinois Senate President Don Harmon have political ties to organizations that contributed disputed, above-limit donations to Harmon and continued giving to him even as the case was pending. The board’s staff concluded Harmon violated state campaign law by collecting $4 million in unlimited contributions after fundraising caps he took steps to lift were reinstated.

Indiana – Indiana GOP Rejects Trump’s Map in Major Blow to His Gerrymandering Push

MSN – Adam Wren (Politico) | Published: 12/11/2025

Indiana Republicans withstood immense pressure from President Trump, ignoring anonymous threats on their lives as they defeated his plan to redraw the state’s congressional map and dealt him one of his most significant political setbacks since his return to the White House. The GOP-controlled state Senate voted down the map that would have gerrymandered two more safe red seats, imperiling the party’s chances at holding control of Congress next November.

Michigan – Former Chatfield Aides Get Probation in Exchange for Testimony

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 12/17/2025

Two of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield’s top legislative aides, Anné and Rob Minard, have been sentenced to probation after agreeing to testify against their former boss in next year. The two had been charged as part of a corruption probe that also ensnared Chatfield and his wife, as the four allegedly tapped into the millions of dollars they raised while Chatfield led the Michigan House to fund a lavish lifestyle.

New York – New York’s Senate Doesn’t Publish Votes on Nominees. Advocates Want That to Change

MSN – Dan Clark (Albany Times Union) | Published: 12/18/2025

When the U.S. Senate considers a nominee from the president, such as a federal judge or a cabinet official, the results of that vote are published on the chamber’s website for the public to review. That is not the case in New York, where the state Senate regularly considers nominees from the governor but does not publish publicly online how each member voted. When someone lobbies state officials on regulations or members of the New York Legislature on a bill, they must report that activity to the state’s ethics commission. That is not the case for lobbying members on one of the governor’s nominees.

New York – Administration Fails Again to Indict N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James

MSN – Perry Stein, Jasmine Golden, Salvador Rizzo, and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2025

The Justice Department once again failed to persuade a grand jury to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, an embarrassing loss for a law enforcement agency that has repeatedly tried to charge the president’s foe in a mortgage fraud case that career prosecutors have long viewed as weak. It marked the second time in two weeks that panels have refused the government’s efforts to indict James.

North Dakota – North Dakota Attorney General Voids Ethics Opinion, Says Agency Lacked Authority

Yahoo News – Jacob Orledge (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 12/15/2025

North Dakota’s attorney general says a recent state Ethics Commission advisory opinion related to campaign finance law is void, arguing the agency exceeded its authority. Attorney General Drew Wrigley said the commission has no authority to issue an opinion based on general questions of law. The opinion relates to guidance the commission issued in June, responding to questions about whether campaign funds can be used to pay for a candidate’s childcare or security expenses.

North Dakota – Committee Names New Member to North Dakota Ethics Commission, Ending Impasse

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 12/16/2025

North Dakota leaders appointed Jared Huibregtse to the state Ethics Commission, ending a nearly two-month stalemate over who to appoint to an open four-year seat on the commission. Huibregtse is a project manager for an engineering firm. The selection committee recently appointed former Office of Management and Budget Director Pam Sharp and attorney Mark Western to two other open seats on the commission.

Oregon – Ethics Commission Investigates Progressive Portland City Councilors over August Retreat

MSN – Jonathan Bach and Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 12/13/2025

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission will investigate whether six Portland City Council members violated public meetings law when they met for a private August retreat. The council members had planned to discuss topics including “defunding” city economic development agency Prosper Portland at the retreat. Under Oregon public meetings law, members of legislative bodies are prohibited from privately discussing legislative matters among a quorum.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Commission Finds Rep. Greg Smith Violated State Ethics Laws in Pursuit of Raise

Yahoo News – Shaanth Nanguneri (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 12/12/2025

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission found Rep. Greg Smith used his position as a public official to secure a higher salary. He has long added onto his legislative salary with high-paying consulting contracts and side gigs supporting economic development efforts in eastern Oregon. The commission voted to extend for 30 days its investigation into Smith and allow investigators to gather more information, but members decided that given the evidence they reviewed, he was in violation of state ethics laws.

Pennsylvania – Dauphin County Sheriff Son’s Hire Raises Questions About Nepotism Policy

MSN – Juliette Rihl (PennLive) | Published: 12/18/2025

According to Dauphin County’s nepotism policy, children do not count as family members. That is because the county commissioners revised the policy in 2023 to remove “son or stepson” and “daughter or stepdaughter,” instead adding aunts, uncles, and half-siblings in their place. Ethics experts said the policy change blatantly defies standard government practices and questioned what, if anything, could have justified it.

Texas – They Left Office Years Ago. Why Are Their Campaigns Still Spending on Steakhouses and Fancy Hotels?

MSN – Taylor Goldenstein (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 12/17/2025

Lax campaign finance laws in Texas allow former candidates and their candidate-specific PACs to keep their coffers open in perpetuity, providing them with a rolling supply of money to dole out to their favorite charities and politicians and spend on travel, dining, and whatever else they deem political in purpose. Outgoing politicians are required to clear out their campaign accounts within six years of either leaving office or filing a final campaign finance report, whichever is later. But the law does not set a deadline for filing that report, so they can technically leave their accounts open as long as they never file one.

Virginia – Instacart Director Says She Was Fired for Democratic Congressional Campaign

MSN – Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 12/15/2025

A lawsuit against Instacart alleges the mobile shopping giant fired a corporate employee for running for Congress, citing fears that some of her Democratic positions could lead to backlash from President Trump and Republicans. Lisa Vedernikova Khanna, a candidate in Virginia, contends Instacart’s action is the latest example of how Trump’s threats of retaliation have intimidated corporate America, leading large companies to recalibrate their approach to political speech. The lawsuit says Instacart violated a California law that bars companies from preventing their employees from becoming candidates for public office, among other complaints.

Wisconsin – Prosecutor Says Judge Knew She Would Get ‘Heat’ for Aiding Immigrant

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 12/15/2025

Federal prosecutors alleged a Wisconsin judge helped a Mexican man briefly elude immigration officials in April and just before she directed him through the back door of her courtroom, she said that she would “get the heat” for it. An attorney for Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan disputed prosecutors’ characterization of her actions and contended the judge was trying to follow draft court rules about how to handle immigration arrests at the courthouse. Dugan faces up to six years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Wisconsin – 2 Former Trump Associates Bound Over for Trial in Wisconsin Fake Elector Case

Yahoo News – Molly Beck (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 12/15/2025

Top architects of an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin were in a courtroom facing felony charges related to a plan to gather signatures of Republicans falsely claiming to be electors for President Trump. Dane County Judge John Hyland ruled there is enough evidence to move forward with a trial in the case against Jim Troupis and Michael Roman, a former attorney and aide to Trump, for their alleged roles in the effort. The judge will consider evidence separately against a third defendant, former Trump attorney Kenneth Chesebro.

Campaign Finance

Texas: “They Left Office Years Ago. Why Are Their Campaigns Still Spending on Steakhouses and Fancy Hotels?” by Taylor Goldenstein (Houston Chronicle) for MSN

Elections

Wisconsin: “2 Former Trump Associates Bound Over for Trial in Wisconsin Fake Elector Case” by Molly Beck (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “LA Councilmember John Lee Hit with $138,000 Fine in Las Vegas Gift Case” by David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

National: “Jack Smith Tells Congress He Could Prove Trump Engaged in a ‘Criminal Scheme’ to Overturn 2020 Election” by Ryan Reilly (NBC News) for MSN

National: “Trump Administration Prepares Sweeping Crackdown on Leftist Networks” by Eva Dou, Joseph Menn, and Will Oremus (Washington Post) for MSN

Michigan: “Former Chatfield Aides Get Probation in Exchange for Testimony” by Simon Schuster for Bridge Michigan

Pennsylvania: “Dauphin County Sheriff Son’s Hire Raises Questions About Nepotism Policy” by Juliette Rihl (PennLive) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “Data Centers Have a Political Problem – and Big Tech Wants to Fix It” by Gabby Miller (Politico) for MSN

New York: “New York’s Senate Doesn’t Publish Votes on Nominees. Advocates Want That to Change” by Dan Clark (Albany Times Union) for MSN