Ethics Archives - State and Federal Communications

November 11, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Louisiana: “Orleans Sheriff Says She Missed Campaign Report Deadline Because Her Attorney Was Incarcerated” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News Elections Mississippi: “Supreme Court Takes Up Dispute Over Counting of Late-Arriving Mail Ballots” by Melissa Quinn (CBS News) for MSN […]

November 7, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – November 7, 2025

National/Federal Report: Donors to Trump’s White House ballroom have $279B in federal contracts MSN – Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2025 Many publicly identified donors to President Trump’s White House ballroom have business before the administration, ranging from billions […]

National/Federal

Report: Donors to Trump’s White House ballroom have $279B in federal contracts

MSN – Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2025

Many publicly identified donors to President Trump’s White House ballroom have business before the administration, ranging from billions of dollars in contracts to federal investigations of their companies, according to a report released by Public Citizen. The White House donor list was not comprehensive, Public Citizen noted, which limited the scope of the review. The New York Times reported Trump’s fundraisers have been circulating donation pledge forms that give people the option of withholding their identities from public disclosure.

Justice Dept. Defends Lindsey Halligan Against Unlawful-Appointment Criticism

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2025

Justice Department lawyers defended Lindsey Halligan’s role as eastern Virginia’s top federal prosecutor, saying in court filings that even if her appointment as U.S. attorney is ruled invalid, she now has an additional title that will allow her to continue overseeing cases against two of President Trump’s perceived foes. The department attorneys said Attorney General Pam Bondi designated Halligan as a “special attorney” to the Justice Department, assigned to oversee the cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Pentagon Readying Thousands of Guard ‘Reaction Forces’ as U.S. Mission Widens

MSN – Alex Horton and David Ovalle (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2025

The Pentagon ordered thousands of specialized National Guard personnel to complete civil unrest mission training over the next several months, an indication the Trump administration’s effort to send uniformed military forces into urban centers, once reserved for extraordinary emergencies, could become the norm. The newly established “quick reaction force” within the National Guard must be trained, equipped with riot-control gear, and ready for deployment by January 1, according to internal documents.

Foreign Agents Look to Influence Conservative Think Tanks in Trump’s Washington

MSN – Robert Schmad (Washington Examiner) | Published: 11/5/2025

Foreign agents are working eagerly to promote the causes of the nations that pay their salaries by reaching out to think tanks that have historically shaped conservative policymaking, Department of Justice filings show, even as the broader conservative movement has become increasingly skeptical of foreign entanglements following the GOP’s 2024 electoral victories. Foreign agents disseminated information to a trio of conservative think tanks, invited their scholars to participate in events, held meetings with staffers, and sought to gain information about the American policy landscape from them.

Judge Orders White House to Restore Sign Language Interpreters at Briefings by Trump, Leavitt

MSN – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 11/4/2025

A federal judge ordered the White House to restore real-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation at all press briefings conducted by President Trump or press secretary Karoline Leavitt. U.S. District Court Judge Amir Ali said the White House’s decision to end ASL interpretation illegally excluded deaf Americans from crucial updates from the government on matters of war, the economy, and public health. Evidence shows, Ali noted, that closed captioning and transcripts are insufficient alternatives.

Judge Scolds Comey Prosecutors for ‘Indict First and Investigate Second’ Approach

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/5/2025

A federal judge scolded the prosecutors pursuing charges against former FBI Director James Comey for what he described as their “indict first and investigate second” approach to the case, saying it has placed an unfair burden on Comey’s defense. U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick described the Justice Department’s handling of the case as “highly unusual” and ordered its attorneys to hand over a raft of potential evidence. That material includes full transcripts of U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan’s presentation to the grand jury that indicted Comey on counts of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

Trump Moves to Block Public Servants from Loan Forgiveness Based on Ideology

MSN – Danielle Douglas-Gabriel (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2025

Employees of nonprofit organizations that work with undocumented immigrants, provide gender transition care for minors, or engage in public protests would have a hard time getting their federal student loans forgiven under regulations advanced by the Education Department. The rule revises eligibility requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. It will allow the education secretary to disqualify employers, not individuals, who engage in activities the department deems to have a “substantial illegal purpose” on or after July 1, when the rule takes effect.

DOJ Faces Ethics Nightmare with Trump Bid for $230M Settlement

MSN – Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) | Published: 10/31/2025

The Department of Justice is facing pressure to back away from a request from President Trump for a $230 million settlement stemming from his legal troubles, as critics say it raises a dizzying number of ethical issues. Trump has argued he deserves compensation for the scrutiny into his conduct, describing himself as a victim of both a special counsel investigation into the 2016 election and the classified documents case. The decision, however, falls to a cadre of attorneys who previously represented Trump personally.

FBI Fires, Rehires, Then Fires Again Agents Assigned to Trump Case

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

The FBI fired four agents who worked on the investigation during the Biden administration related to Donald Trump’s alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. FBI Director Kash Patel had initially fired the agents the day before, but after pushback from District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and others he reinstated them the same day, the people familiar with the matter said. Patel fired them again. Pirro attempted to save at least some of the agents because they were working on cases important to her office.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi Announces Retirement

The Hill – Mike Lillis | Published: 11/6/2025

Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection for another term, closing the book on a storied, four-decade career through which she rewrote history as the country’s first female House speaker, advanced some of the most consequential legislation of the modern era, and secured her place as among the most powerful, if polarizing, lawmakers ever to serve in Congress.

Federal Judge Rules Trump Can’t Require Citizenship Proof on the Federal Voting Form

Yahoo News – Ali Swenson and Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) | Published: 10/31/2025

President Trump’s request to add a documentary proof of citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form cannot be enforced, a federal judge. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled the proof-of-citizenship directive is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers, dealing a blow to the administration and its allies who have argued such a mandate is necessary to restore public confidence that only Americans are voting in U.S. elections.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Ontario Labour Minister’s Wife Lobbied for Advocate of Colleges That Got Millions in Grants: Records

CTV – John Woodward | Published: 10/30/2025

The wife of Ontario’s labor minister registered to lobby for an advocacy group for career colleges, and two of its members received millions of dollars from a government fund overseen by the minister, according to lobbyist registry records. The filings say Faith Chipman never registered to directly lobby her husband, Labor Minister David Piccini, to access the province’s controversial $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund.

California – A Day in the Life of a California Lobbyist

Comstock’s Magazine – Scott Thomas Anderson | Published: 11/4/2025

Rob Grossglauser has worked inside the state Capitol for 24 years. Throughout his time in Sacramento, he has learned that being an effective advocate for his lobbying clients is about having a reputation lawmakers can trust. That confidence, in turn, is built on maintaining relationships through mutual respect, personal integrity and being a source of reliable information. Grossglauser is the founding partner of Pinnacle Advocacy.

California – Meet the McOskers: How one South Bay family wields power at City Hall

MSN – Noah Goldberg (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 11/6/2025

For decades, the McOskers, a large, tight-knit family from San Pedro, have wielded power at Los Angeles City Hall. Unlike the Garcettis and the Hahns, the McOskers have not served in citywide or countywide elected office. But their breadth of influence in Los Angeles politics over the last quarter century may be unparalleled.

California – ‘Completely Inappropriate’: S.F. weighs proposal to weaken shield for ethics watchdogs

MSN – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/30/2025

For more than three decades, a key legal provision has ensured that San Francisco’s ethics watchdogs can freely punish City Hall officials for flouting the law, even their powerful bosses. But up for discussion is whether to remove that protection as part of a broader overhaul of San Francisco’s myriad oversight boards and commissions.

California – Coachella Mayor Indicted on Charges of Perjury, Conflict of Interest Over Downtown Development

MSN – Rebecca Plevin (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/30/2025

A grand jury indicted Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez on nine counts, including one felony charge of violating conflict-of-interest rules related to government contracts and four felony counts of perjury. If convicted as charged, Hernandez would be barred from public office for life and face more than seven years in state prison.

California – Newsom Wins on Proposition 50, Setting the Stage for Calif. Redistricting

MSN – Anabel Sosa (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 11/4/2025

In a landslide election, California voters approved Proposition 50, a ballot measure that reconfigures the state’s congressional map temporarily in a response to Republican gerrymandering efforts in other states. The approved measure will set the stage for a competitive midterm election next year as Democrats go head-to-head with Republicans in their battle to win back the House.

Colorado – Ethics Complaints Filed Against Democratic State Lawmakers Who Attended Vail Retreat with Lobbyists

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven and Jesse Paul | Published: 11/5/2025

Ethics complaints were filed with the Independent Ethics Commission against several state lawmakers alleging they violated Colorado’s prohibition on elected officials receiving gifts when they attended a retreat in Vail where they mingled with lobbyists at a ritzy hotel. The complaints ask the commission to investigate if the lawmakers who attended the retreat violated the state’s gift ban by having their lodging paid for by the nonprofit One Main Street.

Connecticut – Subpoenas Issued to Five Election Candidates in CT for Finance Records Including Two State Reps.

MSN – Paul Hughes (CT Insider) | Published: 11/5/2025

Connecticut’s election watchdog moved to subpoena the campaign committees of two state legislators reelected last year using public financing and two losing candidates to explain how they spent state election grants that financed their 2024 campaigns. After every election, the State Elections Enforcement Commission randomly selects candidate committees for post-election reviews of their record-keeping and reporting. When candidates fail to provide campaign finance records, the SEEC falls back on its subpoena authority to encourage or compel compliance and production.

Connecticut – Corruption Conviction Could Cost Former Connecticut Official $75,000 Annual Pension

Yahoo News – Paul Hughes (CT Insider) | Published: 10/30/2025

The public corruption convictions his defense lawyer said expose Konstantinos Diamantis to a “catastrophic sentence” in a federal prison could cost the 69-year-old former Connecticut budget official and legislator his $75,000-a-year state pension. To date, 31 court actions have been filed to reduce or revoke state and local government officials and workers, according to the attorney general’s office. The outcomes have been mixed.

District of Columbia – Trial Starts for Assault Case Against DC Man Who Tossed Sandwich at Federal Agent on Viral Video

Yahoo News – Associated Press | Published: 11/3/2025

Throwing a sandwich at a federal agent turned Sean Charles Dunn into a symbol of resistance against President Trump’s law-enforcement surge in the nation’s capital. Federal prosecutors are now trying to persuade a jury of fellow District of Columbia residents that Dunn simply broke the law. That could be a tough sell for the government in a city that has chafed against Trump’s federal takeover. A grand jury refused to indict Dunn on a felony assault count before U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office opted to charge him instead with a misdemeanor.

Florida – Uthmeier’s Brief Tenure at GrayRobinson Raises Potential Ethical Issues

Yahoo News – Jeffrey Schweers (Orlando Sentinel) | Published: 11/2/2025

When James Uthmeier took a leave of absence from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration so he could run the governor’s flailing presidential campaign in 2023, he also signed up with one of Florida’s most powerful and politically connected law firms, which regularly lobbies the state of on behalf of its clients. Uthmeier’s stint at the private practice raises ethical and legal questions about the Republican attorney now running for the job of Florida’s top prosecutor.

Illinois – Mayor Brandon Johnson Blocked Attempts to Search for Gifts He Accepted Without Reporting Them as Required: Inspector general

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 11/4/2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson twice blocked the city’s watchdog from searching for gifts he accepted on behalf of the city without reporting them as required, Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said. In addition, Johnson’s staff did not turn a small City Hall room into a storage room for the gifts he accepted on behalf of the city until February, after Witzburg first revealed he had quietly accepted “cufflinks, designer handbags, and men’s shoes,” and failed to document those gifts, according to Witzburg’s report.

Maine – Bipartisan Former Officials, Billionaires Defend Restrictions on Money in Politics in Maine Lawsuit

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 10/30/2025

Republican and Democratic former governors and members of Congress, billionaires, and democracy reform organizations are coming to the defense of Maine’s law in a case over the legality of campaign finance restrictions. This broad support was demonstrated in friend of the court briefs filed in the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Maryland – Maryland State Senator Charged with Extorting Ex-Consultant Over an Affair

MSN – Perry Stein, Katie Mettler, and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2025

Federal officials charged Maryland Sen. Dalya Attar with extortion in a plot that allegedly involved surreptitious recordings of a political foe in bed with a romantic partner. Attar allegedly threatened to expose the foe’s affair to prevent her from saying negative things about Attar’s 2022 candidacy, according to an indictment. Attar, her brother, and a third co-defendant are charged with eight counts related to extortion and wiretapping.

Maryland – Md. Gov. Wes Moore Starts Redistricting Process Despite Key Opposition

MSN – Erin Cox (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore took the first step to starting a mid-cycle redistricting process, moving forward despite staunch opposition from the state Senate president, a fellow Democrat key to making it happen. Moore announced a redistricting commission that will draft proposed congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, pushing for deep-blue Maryland to join a political redistricting arms race, instigated by President Trump, that now involves a dozen states.

Massachusetts – Quincy Mayor’s Campaign Pays $55K to Resolve Campaign Finance Violations

WBUR – Chris Van Buskirk | Published: 11/5/2025

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch’s campaign paid a $55,000 penalty to resolve allegations that in 2022 and 2023, it received thousands of dollars in illegal corporate contributions, anonymous donations, prohibited checks, and donations where the true source of the money was not clear. The mayor’s campaign committee paid $15,000 to the state and another $40,000 to charities of his choice to resolve the matter.

Michigan – Ethics Rules Didn’t Require Sheffield to Disclose Past Relationship with Demolition Contractor

BridgeDetroit – Malachi Barrett | Published: 10/31/2025

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield sought opinions from the city’s ethics board before voting on contracts that involved a demolition contractor with whom she had a personal relationship. The ethics board, charged with interpreting the rules laid out in the city charter and in council legislation, said she had no conflict-of-interest in the matter. Conrad Mallett, corporation counsel for the city, said an executive order that prohibits employees from having relationships with people involved with contracts they oversee did not apply to council members.

Michigan – Former Lobbyist Files Complaint Against Group Helping Fund Governors’ International Trade Missions

Yahoo News – Kyle Davidson (Michigan Advance) | Published: 11/4/2025

A nonprofit providing funding support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s overseas trade missions is the subject of a lobbying law complaint. The complaint accused the Michigan Economic Development Foundation of skirting state law requiring lobbyists to register. It notes that members of the foundation’s board receive “extraordinary access to meetings with lobby able officials” while some members are invited to travel with the governor and other public officials, The Detroit News found companies with seats on the board received about $2.2 billion in economic development incentives from the Whitmer Administration.

Montana – AG: Anti-dark-money ballot initiative doesn’t meet legal requirements

Yahoo News – Micah Drew (Daily Montanan) | Published: 10/30/2025

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen rejected a ballot initiative seeking to limit the power of corporations to spend money on elections, saying it did not meet legal review standards. The proposed ballot measure would amend the state constitution to redefine the powers of corporations (“artificial persons” under the constitution) to state they have no power to spend money “or anything of value on elections or ballot issues.”

New Jersey – The First-Term Democrat Facing a Trump Prosecution

MSN – Anna Liss-Roy (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

To hear the Trump administration tell it, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver attacked an immigration officer. McIver says she is being unfairly prosecuted as part of a broader campaign of political intimidation. McIver was charged with three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding, and interfering with federal officers during a clash outside a New Jersey detention facility. Exactly what happened during the 68-second encounter between McIver and federal agents at the facility could soon be addressed at trial, if a federal judge decides the case should move forward. That decision is expected imminently.

New Jersey – Sherrill Defeats Ciattarelli in Hotly Contested N.J. Governor’s Race

Yahoo News – Brent Johnson, Brianna Kudisch, and Jelani Gibson (Newark Star Ledger) | Published: 11/5/2025

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill was elected as New Jersey’s next governor, decisively defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a nationally watched race considered an early referendum on President Trump’s new presidency and securing her party a rare third straight term in the seat. Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, will become just the second woman governor, and first Democratic woman to hold the job.

New Jersey – Former Gov. Jim McGreevey and James Solomon Advance to Runoff in Race for Jersey City Mayor

Yahoo News – Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 11/4/2025

Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey is going another round in his attempted political comeback, more than two decades after he resigned from office. McGreevey will take on James Solomon in a December 2 runoff election in the race for mayor of Jersey City, the state’s second-largest city.

New York – Mamdani Wins New York City Mayoral Race, in a Historic Victory for Progressives

NPR – Rachel Treisman | Published: 11/4/2025

Zohran Mamdani will be the next mayor of New York City, becoming the first Muslim and person of South Asian descent, as well as the youngest in over a century, to hold the position. It is a remarkable ascent for Mamdani, who was a relatively unknown state Assembly member representing a district in Queens when he entered the crowded mayoral race last year. He went on to win June’s Democratic primary by 12 percentage points, quickly becoming one of the country’s most popular and polarizing politicians along the way.

North Carolina – N.C. GOP Spokesman Urges Reporter to Drop News Story, Citing Trump Ties

MSN – Brianna Tucker (Washington Post) | Published: 11/2/2025

North Carolina Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer appeared to threaten the news outlet ProPublica – citing “connections” to the Trump administration – over a story it reported and ultimately published on conservative state Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby. After the story was published, Mercer doubled down in a social media post, urging President Trump to “feed ProPublica to the USAID wood chipper,” referring to the president’s termination of thousands in funding and grants from the foreign aid agency earlier this year.

North Dakota – 1 Named to North Dakota Ethics Commission, Other 2 Seats Still in Limbo

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 10/31/2025

State officials chose former Office of Management and Budget Director Pam Sharp to fill one of the three open seats on the North Dakota Ethics Commission but remain divided on the reappointment of one commissioner. The selection committee must appoint commissioners by a consensus vote. They have been meeting since August to select the commission’s next members. The committee is at a standstill over whether to appoint Commissioner Murray Sagsveen to another term.

Ohio – Ohio Redistricting Commission Unanimously OKs Map of New Congressional Districts

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/31/2025

The Ohio Redistricting Commission passed a bipartisan congressional redistricting plan that gives Republicans an advantage in 12 of Ohio’s 15 U.S. House districts starting next year. The plan, passed unanimously by the seven-member commission, comes after a last-minute deal between Republican and Democratic legislative leaders to avoid giving GOP lawmakers the chance next month to unilaterally pass a more lopsidedly advantageous map.

Virginia – Virginia Elects Spanberger as First Female Governor on Big Night for Democrats

MSN – Gregory Schneider (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to become the first woman elected governor of Virginia, winning with a pragmatic focus on the economy on a night when her party swept all three statewide offices and made gains in the House of Delegates, amid promises to defend the state against President Trump’s policies. Her political record of winning in a conservative congressional district and brokering bipartisan deals in Washington, positioned Spanberger for a landmark win in this purple state.

Virginia – Democrat Jay Jones Wins Virginia Attorney General’s Race

MSN – Teo Armus (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

DemocratJay Jones was projected to become Virginia’s next attorney general, according to the Associated Press, riding a wave of enthusiasm for his party to overcome a scandal over violent text messages he sent years ago that nearly toppled his campaign. His victory over incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares makes Jones, the 36-year-old scion of a prominent Norfolk family of civil rights leaders, the first African American to be elected to an office he hopes to use as a bulwark against the Trump administration.

Virginia – Virginia Senate Approves Mid-Decade Redistricting Amendment in Party-Line Vote

Yahoo News – Markus Schmidt (Virginia Mercury) | Published: 10/31/2025

The Virginia General Assembly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would give lawmakers the authority to redraw the commonwealth’s congressional districts mid-decade. The amendment comes amid a national wave of redistricting fights, with Republican-led states having recently pursued mid-cycle map changes, a trend Virginia Democrats say threatens to weaken the commonwealth’s leverage and representation in Congress.

November 6, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Connecticut: “Subpoenas Issued to Five Election Candidates in CT for Finance Records Including Two State Reps.” by Paul Hughes (CT Insider) for MSN Elections New Jersey: “Former Gov. Jim McGreevey and James Solomon Advance to Runoff in Race […]

November 5, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections California: “Newsom Wins on Proposition 50, Setting the Stage for Calif. Redistricting” by Anabel Sosa (San Francisco Chronicle) for MSN New Jersey: “Sherrill Defeats Ciattarelli in Hotly Contested N.J. Governor’s Race” by Brent Johnson, Brianna Kudisch, and Jelani Gibson […]

November 4, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections National: “Federal Judge Rules Trump Can’t Require Citizenship Proof on the Federal Voting Form” by Ali Swenson and Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) for Yahoo News Ethics National: “DOJ Faces Ethics Nightmare with Trump Bid for $230M Settlement” by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) for […]

November 3, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Maine: “Bipartisan Former Officials, Billionaires Defend Restrictions on Money in Politics in Maine Lawsuit” by Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) for Yahoo News Montana: “AG: Anti-dark-money ballot initiative doesn’t meet legal requirements” by Micah Drew (Daily Montanan) for […]

October 31, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 31, 2025

National/Federal Trump’s Desire for Loyalist Prosecutors Threatens the Case Against Comey MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 10/22/2025 For months, the Trump administration’s unorthodox strategy to install and retain loyalists in key prosecutorial positions while bypassing Senate approval […]

National/Federal

Trump’s Desire for Loyalist Prosecutors Threatens the Case Against Comey

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 10/22/2025

For months, the Trump administration’s unorthodox strategy to install and retain loyalists in key prosecutorial positions while bypassing Senate approval has roiled courts, drawn legal challenges, and earned condemnation from federal judges. Now, it threatens to imperil one of the cases the president cares about most. Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey asked a judge to dismiss the case against him, arguing President Trump’s handpicked prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed.

Dominion Voting, Trump and Fox’s Target After 2020, Gets a MAGA Makeover

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Patrick Marley, and Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) | Published: 10/23/2025

When a Republican businessperson announced he had purchased a voting equipment company at the center of MAGA conspiracy theories, he rebranded the company in a way that seemed designed to appease critics who falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen from President Trump. But behind the scenes, the new owner of Dominion Voting Systems is sounding skeptical of those conspiracy theories. The discordant messages reflect the near-impossible task that election technology companies are facing.

With East Wing Gone, Questions Now Turn to Trump’s Ballroom Donors

MSN – Dan Diamond and Victoria Bisset (Washington Post) | Published: 10/24/2025

President Trump’s swift demolition of the White House’s East Wing stunned conservationists and many Americans. But ethics experts and Democrats say they are turning to a question related to the next phase of the project: whether the donors behind the planned $300 million ballroom that will replace the demolished annex will receive any benefits in return.

Nation’s Biggest Law Firms Back Off from Challenging Trump Policies

MSN – Shayna Jacobs, Clara Ence Morse, and Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/26/2025

The largest law firms in the United States have been far less likely to challenge President Trump’s policies than they were during his first term, and smaller firms are carrying much more of the burden of high-stakes legal challenges, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. The shift by large firms has put a significant extra burden on small- and medium-sized firms.

Binance Founder’s Pardon Shows Power of Trump Allies on K Street

MSN – Daniel Barnes (Politico) | Published: 10/25/2025

President Trump’s pardon of Changpeng Zhao is a remarkable turn of fortune for the entrepreneur who just over a year ago was serving prison time for allowing money launderers access to his cryptocurrency trading platform. For Zhao and his company Binance, the pardon represents a fresh start in Washington, emblematic of Trump’s friendly attitude toward the crypto industry and soft approach to regulation. For the lobbyists who helped make the pardon happen, it is a show of force that embodies the shifting power on K Street toward firms with direct ties to the Oval Office.

Justice Dept. Says It Will Monitor Polls in California and New Jersey

MSN – Andrew Jeong (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2025

The Justice Department said it will monitor polling stations in six counties in California and New Jersey ahead of the November 4 general election, describing the move as routine and aimed at ensuring transparency and ballot security at the polls. The announcement triggered criticism from Democrats, who have a growing distrust in the Trump administration’s ability to act as a truly nonpartisan referee in elections.

Red States Are Preparing for an End to the Voting Rights Act

MSN – Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 10/28/2025

Some Republicans across the south are preparing to redraw their congressional maps to boot Democrats out of office if the Supreme Court issues a ruling on a case gutting the Voting Rights Act in time for the midterms. While such a decision is no sure thing, some states are nonetheless planning for the scenario. The potential scramble to redraw could completely reshape the midterms, and Democrats are already sounding the alarm.

World Leaders Wooing Trump Turn to a Common Present: Golf clubs

MSN – Matt Viser (Washington Post) | Published: 10/18/2025

Everywhere President Trump goes, it seems, dignitaries have decided that the way to his heart is through the game he loves. At least eight countries have given him golf clubs in his second term, according to a list from the State Department. The art of wooing Trump has taken new importance during his second term, as foreign leaders seek to ingratiate themselves with a mercurial president who is redefining America’s relationships with the world.

Trump Administration Uses Misleading Videos to Portray Chaos, Push Deportations

MSN – Drew Harwell and Joyce Sohyun Lee (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2025

Officials in the Trump administration used misleading footage in at least six videos promoting its immigration agenda shared in the last three months, muddying the reality of events in viral clips that have been viewed millions of times. Some videos that purported to show the chaos of Trump-targeted cities included footage from completely different states. One that claimed to show dramatic examples of past administrations’ failures instead featured border crossings and smuggling boats recorded during Trump’s first term.

White House Fires Arts Commission Expected to Review Trump Construction Projects

MSN – Dan Diamond (Washington Post) | Published: 10/28/2025

The White House fired all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency that had expected to review some of President Trump’s construction projects, including his planned triumphal arch and White House ballroom. The White House in July fired President Biden appointees from the National Capital Planning Commission, another urban-planning agency that is required to review external construction projects at the White House.

Meet the Senate Aide with a $44,000 Taxpayer-Funded Commute

MSN – Daniel Lippman (Politico) | Published: 10/29/2025

The top aide to U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas charged $44,000 to taxpayers over the past two years in commuting expenses between Washington and Lynchburg, Virginia, where he lives. The reimbursements paid to Brent Robertson are legal and comply with congressional rules governing expense reimbursements, according to experts who reviewed his arrangement, but they also said it was highly unusual and at odds with the intent behind those rules.

2 U.S. Prosecutors Suspended After Describing Jan. 6 Attack as Carried Out by ‘Mob’

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck and Emily Davies (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2025

The Justice Department has placed two federal prosecutors in Washington on leave a day after they filed a document in court that referred to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as a “riot” carried out by a “mob.” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White were told they were being suspended just hours after they submitted a sentencing recommendation in a case against Taylor Taranto, accused of participating in the Capitol attack who is now facing sentencing for unrelated weapons charges.

Maine and Texas Are the Latest Fronts in Voting Battles, with Voter ID, Citizenship on the Ballot

MSN – Patrick White and John Hanna (Associated Press) | Published: 10/29/2025

Maine’s elections in recent years have been relatively free of problems, and verified cases of voter fraud are exceedingly rare. That is not stopping Republicans from pushing for major changes in the way the state conducts its voting. Maine is one of two states with election-related initiatives on the November 4 ballot. In Texas, Republicans are asking voters to make clear in the state constitution that people who are not U.S. citizens are ineligible to vote.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Ford Government to Raise Donation Limits, Scrap Fixed-Term Elections

MSN – Isaac Callan and Colin D’Mell (Global News) | Published: 10/27/2025

The provincial government announced it is planning to dramatically increase individual donation limits for political parties in Ontario, scrap fixed-term election dates, and allow governments to sit for five years in a potentially massive overhaul. The changes were not part of the Progressive Conservatives’ platform to fight against tariffs during the 2025 snap election, which they won in February. Duff Conacher, the co-founder of Democracy Watch, said if the changes pass, they would continue a pattern of more money entering provincial politics.

Alaska – Ranked-Choice Voting Opponents Fight Campaign Finance Fines at Alaska High Court

Courthouse News Service – Jeremy Yurow | Published: 10/29/2025

Alaska Supreme Court justices pressed attorneys on whether state campaign finance laws were violated when a businessperson funneled $90,000 through a church to fund efforts to repeal ranked-choice voting. Oral arguments in two related appeals centered on penalties totaling $94,000 imposed by the Alaska Public Offices Commission against Arthur Mathias, the Ranked Choice Education Association and other opponents of the state’s voting system. At the heart of the dispute is whether a penalty provision adopted as part of a ballot measure applies only to candidate elections or extends to ballot measure campaigns.

California – Prosecutor on High-Profile S.F. Corruption Case Tapped as City’s First Inspector General

MSN – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/28/2025

A federal prosecutor who handled the bribery case against former Public Works director Mohammed Nuru was selected to become San Francisco’s top official tasked with rooting out corruption at City Hall. Alexandra Shepard will be the city’s first-ever inspector general if confirmed by the Board of Supervisors. Her hiring comes as San Francisco grapples with repeated episodes of alleged impropriety by government officials and nonprofit contractors, including former department heads who recently faced scrutiny over their conflicted relationships with city vendors.

California – Judge Rules Trump’s U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles Is Serving Unlawfully

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 10/28/2025

A federal judge ruled President Trump’s acting U.S. attorney in Los Angeles has been “unlawfully serving in that role.” U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright concluded that Bill Essayli 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. But the judge said Essayli could retain the job of first assistant in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of California, allowing him to continue overseeing prosecutions in the region if no one else is appointed to the top role.

California – Feds Charge East Bay City Council Member in Corruption Case Linked to Sheng Thao

Yahoo News – Megan Cassidy (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/28/2025

Federal prosecutors have charged San Leandro City Councilperson Bryan Azevedo with two felonies related to what they described as a scheme to help a housing company win city contracts in exchange for kickbacks. Azevedo is the second East Bay elected official to face federal charges related to Evolutionary Homes, a company that sought to build modular housing for the homeless out of shipping containers. The company is not named in the charging documents, but its identity is clear from public records in the case.

District of Columbia – Eleanor Holmes Norton Scammed Out of Thousands of Dollars, DC Police Says

Yahoo News – Aaron Pellish (Politico) | Published: 10/24/2025

Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s long-serving delegate in Congress, was scammed out of thousands of dollars recently. A police report said the 88-year-old Norton’s credit card was charged with over $4,000 for services at her home. The incident was reported by Jacqueline Pelt, a longtime aide and Norton ally, who is listed in the report as living at Norton’s home. The internal report described Norton as having “early stages of dementia” and characterized Pelt as a caretaker with power of attorney for Norton.

Florida – Lobbyist Wrote Proposal Directing Florida to Buy Pricey 4 Acres in Destin

MSN – Max Chesnes and Emily Mahoney (Tampa Bay Times) | Published: 10/29/2025

Florida politicians, including prominent Republicans, expressed outrage and confusion over a fast-tracked state purchase of four acres of sandy land in Destin for $83 million, raising questions about how the unusual deal bypassed typical safeguards for conservation buys. Newly obtained public records provide an answer. The proposal that led to the purchase came from a lobbyist representing the property owner who stands to profit.

Hawaii – Maui Ethics Board Is Reconsidering New Confidentiality Rule

Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 10/24/2025

The Maui Board of Ethics will not enforce a new rule that forces citizens to keep details about their pending ethics complaints confidential after considering public input this week. The reversal came after the board unanimously approved 44 new rule changes recently, including a provision that some members of the public called a “gag order.”

Illinois – Supreme Court Asks for More Briefs on Trump Push to Send Troops to Chicago

MSN – Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court asked the Trump administration and Illinois officials for additional briefs on their dispute over whether President Trump can send troops to Chicago, pushing a decision on the matter into mid-November at the earliest. After the Trump administration had asked the Supreme Court on October 17 to allow the deployment to proceed, the court asked Illinois officials to respond within three days. The tight timeline suggested the justices could have potentially intended to rule on the matter quickly. The new request for more information could signal the justices are more split on the issue than they first appeared.

Illinois – Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Political Fund Returns $120K from PACs Connected to City Vendors

Yahoo News – Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/22/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign last quarter returned $120,000 from two PACs both led by developers with active city contracts, the latest instances of his political fund giving back money amid ethical and accounting issues. Since being sworn in the mayor’s office, Johnson’s campaign has refunded almost $290,000 in contributions, made several amendments to its reports, and spent another $120,000 for compliance services.

Indiana – Indiana Governor Summons Lawmakers for Redistricting Session Amid National GOP Pressure

Yahoo News – Casey Smith (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 10/27/2025

Gov. Mike Braun called a special session to take up congressional redistricting, a politically charged move that follows months of mounting pressure from national Republicans to redraw Indiana’s map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Braun’s order sets the session for November 3 and said it will focus primarily on revising the state’s congressional boundaries, lines that were last redrawn in 2021 following the U.S. Census.

Maine – Former Hawai’i Defense Contractor Gets Prison Time for Illegal Donations

Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 10/20/2025

A former Hawaii defense contractor was sentenced to 33 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme that sent more than $200,000 in illegal campaign contributions to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and a super PAC that backed her 2020 bid for reelection. Kao’s illegal donations were made shortly after his firm won an $8 million contract that Collins secured funding for and celebrated alongside company executives during an August 2019 ceremony.

Maryland – Maryland’s Democratic Senate President Blocks Anti-Trump Redistricting Fight

MSN – Erin Cox and Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2025

Two of Maryland’s top Democrats have been eager to jump into the redistricting arms race unfolding across the country and draw boundaries that could oust the state’s lone congressional Republican from office, but the third Democrat needed to run that special session, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, has refused. Democrats hold the governor’s mansion and supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly, making the state a target of national Democratic efforts to shore up the party’s power in the 2026 midterms and counteract the red states that have drawn new districts favoring a GOP majority.

Michigan – Michigan House Votes to Close Loophole Shielding Secretary of State from Campaign Finance Penalties

MSN – Michael Kransz (MLive) | Published: 10/29/2025

The Michigan House unanimously approved legislation that would close a loophole allowing the secretary of state to avoid punishment for campaign finance violations. The bill would grant the attorney general the authority to punish the secretary of state in the event of a violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate.

New Jersey – NJ ELEC Votes to Allow Ciattarelli to Sue Sherrill for Defamation During Campaign

MSN – Molly Parks (Washington Examiner) | Published: 10/27/2025

Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli can sue his opponent, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, during their race to be New Jersey’s next governor. The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) issued an advisory opinion saying as long as Ciattarelli uses his own personal funds, he can file a defamation lawsuit against Sherrill. Ciattarelli sought an opinion from ELEC to ensure that a lawsuit before Election Day would not violate any campaign finance laws.

New Jersey – ‘Corruption Doesn’t Go Away.’ Why the New Head of NJ’s Top Watchdog Still Believes in SCI

Yahoo News – Mike Davis and Michael Diamond (Asbury Park Press) | Published: 10/29/2025

Nearly 60 years after it was established, the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) is at a crossroads. Staff members are fleeing, their faith in the agency’s top leadership shaken to its core. The agency has not published any investigative reports in a year. Legislative leaders have openly debated SCI’s future, wondering if there are too many government watchdogs in a state often used as a punchline for corruption. The commission named Bruce Keller as its new executive director to stabilize the agency.

New York – Transparency Advocate Rejected from Ethics Commission Plans to Sue

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 10/22/2025

A longtime state ethics commissioner is planning to sue New York’s ethics commission after his nomination to join a new iteration of the body was rejected. Gary Lavine served as a member of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) for a decade, where he ruffled feathers as he pushed for the panel to become more transparent and criticized then-Governor Andrew Cuomo’s influence over the body. JCOPE commission was disbanded in 2022 and replaced by the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. This year, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay nominated Lavine to serve on the replacement body.

North Dakota – Governor Wants ‘Reset’ from North Dakota Ethics Commission as Committee Deadlocks on Candidates

Yahoo News – Jacob Orledge (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 10/23/2025

Ethics Commission reached a stalemate after Gov. Kelly Armstrong refused to reappoint incumbent Murray Sagsveen. Armstrong argued the Ethics Commission needs a “general reset,” citing a strained relationship with executive branch agencies. Armstrong also disagreed with a response Sagsveen gave during the selection process in which he said the North Dakota Legislature has passed laws to limit the commission’s authority, in violation of the state constitution.

Oregon – Appeals Court to Review Order Letting Trump Send Guard to Oregon

MSN – Erik Larson (Bloomberg) | Published: 10/28/2025

A federal appeals court agreed to reconsider a ruling that would allow President Trump to send National Guard troops to Portland, stalling the deployment again just as Oregon’s lawsuit challenging the plan heads to trial in a lower court. The decision by the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals extends a temporary block on Trump’s deployment of troops to Portland, where he claims federal property and personnel are at risk from out-of-control protesters.

Pennsylvania – Harrisburg Mayor Fined by Ethics Commission for Using City Dumpster for Personal Trash

MSN – Tirzah Christopher (PennLive) | Published: 10/24/2025

The Pennsylvania Ethics Commission ordered Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams to pay a $912.70 fine for instructing city employees to deliver a city-owned dumpster to her home for her personal use. Williams agreed to pay the fine instead of going through a hearing, which the commission said would have found her in violation of state ethics laws.

Pennsylvania – Why Tracking Spending in This Year’s Critical Pa. Supreme Court Retention Races Is So Difficult

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer | Published: 10/29/2025

How much are state and national groups spending to flood the airwaves, fill mailboxes, and buy up digital ads ahead of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention elections? That is a harder question to answer than one might think, thanks to a mix of lagging reporting, weakly enforced rules, and a campaign finance system that requires little transparency. Many groups are trying to sway voters through independent expenditures, which are often made by groups that cannot legally give to candidates, including nonprofits that do not have to disclose their donors.

Tennessee – Former Rep. Robin Smith Sentenced to 8 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Corruption Conspiracy

Yahoo News – Sofia Saric (Chattanooga Times Free Press) | Published: 10/24/2025

Former state Rep. Robin Smith was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for her role in a corruption conspiracy described as a scheme to steal from Tennessee and its citizens through the General Assembly’s taxpayer-funded constituent mail program. Smith, ex-Speaker Glen Casada and his one-time chief of staff, Cade Cothren, all played a part in a scheme to illegally profit off the taxpayer-funded constituent mail program from October 2019 to early January 2021.

Texas – State Scrutinizes Payments from Dallas County Probation Department to Austin Consultant

MSN – Tracey McManus (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 10/22/2025

The selection process for three seats on the North Dakota When Dallas County’s adult probation director, Arnold Patrick, cut a $32,800 check to a contractor in May, he said it was to replace checks issued two years earlier the consultant forgot to cash. Patrick hired a lobbyist in 2023 to screen and handle vendors doing business with the probation department. But during the year Eric Knustrom was under contract with the Dallas County agency, he did not perform core duties of the agreement. While Knustrom was not fulfilling his contract, emails show the lobbyist was working pro bono on legislative issues with Patrick and a group the two men had launched to splinter from the state probation association.

Virginia – University of Virginia Reaches Deal to Pause Trump Administration Probes

MSN – Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff and Susan Svrluga (Washington Post) | Published: 10/22/2025

The Justice Department reached an agreement with the University of Virginia to pause several investigations into the school, after a months-long dispute that led to the resignation of its president. The agreement includes no monetary penalty and no external monitoring. But it requires the university to agree to follow federal guidance to ensure it does not engage in what the Trump administration considers “unlawful racial discrimination in its university programming, admissions, hiring, or other activities.” Some legal experts have questioned the guidance as an overly broad interpretation of a recent Supreme Court ruling.

Virginia – Virginia Democrats Are the Next Surprising Entrant into the Redistricting Battle

Yahoo News – Brakkton Booker, Andrew Howard, and Liz Crampton (Politico) | Published: 10/23/2025

Virginia Democrats are poised to enter the nationwide redistricting battle, according to three Democrats familiar with the plans, taking on an effort to redraw the state’s congressional lines just days before closely watched elections in the state. The surprise effort would need to come together quickly, and it could face procedural and political hurdles. Virginia has a constitutionally mandated process that hands redistricting over to a bipartisan commission, and the decision to circumnavigate or eliminate that commission must ultimately go in front of voters.

Washington – Meta Appeals $35M Campaign Finance Fine at WA Supreme Court

Yahoo News – Jake Goldstein-Street (Washington State Standard) | Published: 10/28/2025

Court to overturn what the Washington attorney general has called the largest campaign finance penalty in the nation’s history. Meta argues the state campaign finance law used to justify the $35 million fine violates the First Amendment. The company also argues the punishment, for not providing required records for digital campaign advertisements hosted on its platform, is excessive and misguided. The state says provisions of the law are necessary to inform voters about who is spending money to influence Washington elections.

West Virginia – Morrisey Trips Fuel Conflict-of-Interest Concern Stemming from First Lady’s Lobbying

Logan Banner – Mike Tony (Charleston Gazette-Mail) | Published: 10/25/2025

Ethics experts say West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s wife accompanying him on state-funded, health policy-focused trips to Washington while she has been a health care industry lobbyist presents conflict-of-interest concerns. State records indicate Denise Morrisey traveled with the governor on four taxpayer-supported flights to Washington from February to April 2025 at a cost of just under $15,000.

October 30, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Pennsylvania: “Why Tracking Spending in This Year’s Critical Pa. Supreme Court Retention Races Is So Difficult” by Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer for Spotlight PA Washington: “Meta Appeals $35M Campaign Finance Fine at WA Supreme Court” by Jake […]

October 29, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyCompply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Canada: “Ford Government to Raise Donation Limits, Scrap Fixed-Term Elections” by Isaac Callan and Colin D’Mell (Global News) for MSN Elections New Jersey: “NJ ELEC Votes to Allow Ciattarelli to Sue Sherrill for Defamation During Campaign” by Molly […]

October 28, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Maine: “Former Hawai’i Defense Contractor Gets Prison Time for Illegal Donations” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat Elections National: “Justice Dept. Says It Will Monitor Polls in California and New Jersey” by Andrew Jeong (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics Washington DC: “Eleanor […]

October 27, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Illinois: “Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Political Fund Returns $120K from PACs Connected to City Vendors” by Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News Elections National: “Dominion Voting, Trump and Fox’s Target After 2020, Gets a MAGA Makeover” by Yvonne […]

October 24, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 24, 2025

National/Federal Former Trump Aide John Bolton Indicted Over Handling of Classified Material MSN – Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and Katie Mettler (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2025 John Bolton, a former national security adviser to President Trump who has become one […]

National/Federal

Former Trump Aide John Bolton Indicted Over Handling of Classified Material

MSN – Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and Katie Mettler (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2025

John Bolton, a former national security adviser to President Trump who has become one of his fiercest critics, was indicted on charges of mishandling classified and sensitive material. The indictment charged Bolton with 18 counts of transmitting or retaining national defense information. The charges each carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence should he be convicted. The case makes Bolton the third target of the president to face criminal prosecution in less than a month.

‘No Kings’ Protests Against Trump Bring a Street Party Vibe to Cities Nationwide

MSN – Mike Pesoli and Gary Fields (Associated Press) | Published: 10/18/2025

Protesting the direction of the country under President Trump, people gathered in the nation’s capital and communities big and small across the U.S. for “No Kings” demonstrations. With signs such as “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting,” in many places the events looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People” preamble that people could sign, and demonstrators wearing inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland.

Pentagon Press Confronts New Reality of Trump Era: Being banned from the Pentagon

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2025

When a throng of military journalists relinquished their credentials after refusing to sign the Defense Department’s new restrictive press policy, it ended more than 80 years of in-building coverage by major news organizations. With only 14 individuals agreeing to the rules, dozens of outlets are confronting a new reality: the challenges of covering the Defense Department from purely outside of its five-sided nerve center on the Potomac.

George Santos, Freed by Trump, Says He Wants to Reform American Prisons

MSN – Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2025

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who served 84 days in federal prison before receiving a presidential commutation, says he knows what he wants to do with his life now that he is no longer incarcerated. “There is nothing more that I want to do than to focus and dedicate my entire life to prison reform,” Santos said. President Trump, whom Santos has staunchly supported, issued a presidential commutation exempting him from the remainder of his sentence, all financial penalties, and any need for probation.

How Trump 2.0 Blew Up Lobbying

MSN – Brendan Bordelon, Amanda Chu, and Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 10/19/2025

After decades of “revolving door” culture, K Street is grappling with a new normal for how influence works in the nation’s capital. In Donald Trump’s second administration, American policy influence has shifted from its previous channels – agency officials, top lawmakers, and staffers on key congressional committees – to a new reality where change comes suddenly from the top.

Appeals Court Panel Appears Skeptical of Trump Admin’s Maneuvers to Keep Alina Habba in Place

MSN – Ry Rivard and Erica Orden (Politico) | Published: 10/20/2025

A panel of federal appeals court judges appeared skeptical of President Trump’s use of unconventional methods to install loyalists as top prosecutors without Senate confirmation. A trio of judges from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals questioned the multistep process the Trump administration used to designate his former personal attorney Alina Habba the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey and keep her there even after District Court judges sought to replace her. In August, a lower-court judge ruled that Habba is serving unlawfully, and the Trump administration is appealing that determination.

Trump’s Special Counsel Nominee Withdraws

MSN – Meryl Kornfield, Theodoric Meyer, and Cleve Wootson Jr. (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2025

Paul Ingrassia, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew his nomination after it became clear he does not have the votes to be confirmed, following reports he texted other Republicans racist slurs and said he had “a Nazi streak.” At least five Senate Republicans said they opposed Ingrassia’s nomination, enough to block his confirmation if all senators are voting, and no Democrats support him.

Trump Has Claimed Millions from the Government. He Could Order Payment.

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2025

Ever since his inauguration in January, President Trump has sat uncharacteristically silent in the face of a potential windfall of more than $100 million from U.S. taxpayers. As a private citizen, he claimed he was entitled to money to compensate him for what he calls political investigations he underwent. As president, he could now, in effect, order that government to pay him. If the payment came in the form of a settlement, the White House might be under no immediate legal obligation to disclose it to the public.

Trump Refugee Plan Seeks 7,000 Afrikaners – and Virtually No One Else

MSN – Adam Taylor and Teo Armus (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2025

The Trump administration’s plan to overhaul the U.S. refugee resettlement process, including a drastic reduction in overall annual admissions, coincides with a concerted effort to prepare thousands of White South Africans to relocate to the United States through the system. If the administration succeeds, almost all people admitted to the U.S. as refugees, as many as 7,000 from a maximum potential pool of 7,500, could be Afrikaners, a group not traditionally eligible for the program but one that President Trump says has been tyrannized by South Africa’s Black majority.

Study Reveals Corporate Directors on Charity Boards Drive Pro-Corporate Lobbying

MSN – Science X staff | Published: 10/16/2025

A study in Management Science finds that public charities with corporate directors on their boards are significantly more likely to lobby on behalf of the connected firms’ political interests. The research found nonprofit governance structures can quietly serve as extensions of corporate influence into the political process, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the nonprofit sector.

From Industry to EPA: Lobbyist now oversees pesticide rules

Seattle Times – Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) | Published: 10/21/2025

Until recently, Kyle Kunkler was the top lobbyist for America’s soybean industry. In that job, he once boasted of helping to keep a controversial weedkiller called dicamba in use, likening his back-and-forth with regulators to a tennis match full of “rocketing volleys.” Now he is that regulator. In June, Kunkler was named the Trump administration’s top official in charge of pesticide policy at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Less than a month later, the EPA proposed allowing the use of herbicides containing dicamba, a chemical whose use has twice been restricted by a federal court.

K Street Rakes in Hundreds of Millions Off of Trump Upheaval

Yahoo Finance – Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 10/22/2025

Some of K Street’s biggest lobbying firms raked in unprecedented amounts of cash last quarter. But it is the upstart firms with ties to President Trump or his administration that have been drowning in lobbying fees, lapping their more established rivals as Trump’s second term continues to scramble the hierarchy of the influence industry.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Fontes Says Candidates Can Use Campaign Cash for Personal Security

Arizona Capitol Times – Reagan Priest | Published: 10/5/2025

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes says he will not open campaign finance complaints against candidates who use campaign funds for personal security in the wake of increased political violence. Fontes noted that spending campaign funds on security is not expressly prohibited by state law, but it is not explicitly addressed either. The move highlights the growing need for caution among candidates and a gray area in Arizona’s campaign finance laws.

Arizona – Arizona AG Sues Over Speaker Mike Johnson Refusing to Seat New House Member

MSN – Patrick Marley and Paul Kane (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2025

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sued the U.S. House because Speaker Mike Johnson has declined to swear in the state’s newest member of Congress. Democrat Adelita Grijalva won a September special election to replace her father. In the month since she won, Johnson has refused to swear her in and give her the powers of her office. Grijalva has promised to provide the final signature needed for a discharge petition that would force a vote on releasing federal investigative files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Arizona – Judge Dismisses Case Alleging Hobbs Administration Played Favorites in Marijuana Dispute

USA Today – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 10/17/2025

A Maricopa County judge rejected a lawsuit brought by a marijuana entrepreneur that, on top of its legal claims, alleged Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ administration favored a donor to Hobbs’ political operation in a licensing dispute. Mason Cave and his company, Arizona Wellness Center Springerville, argued in lawsuit the Department of Health Services violated the state constitution’s gift clause when it awarded the Trulieve subsidiary a special type of marijuana license.

California – San Jose Scratches Head Over Official’s Ethical Dilemma

MSN – Brandon Pho (San Jose Spotlight) | Published: 10/17/2025

The San Jose Police Department pays $55,000 a month to rent an evidence warehouse on Monterey Road. The owner is a San Jose official who votes on police spending. Councilperson Michael Mulcahy is the managing partner of his private, family-owned real estate firm SDS NexGen Partners, which has leased the warehouse to the city since 2003. The situation is raising questions about the fine lines of San Jose’s and California’s conflict-of-interest laws.

California – Newsom Signs Law Forcing Lawmakers to Disclose New Jobs

MSN – Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) | Published: 10/16/2025

California’s elected and appointed officials will now have to tell the public when they have accepted a job offer from a new employer that might seek favors from them while they are still in a position of power. Assemblyperson Tasha Boerner introduced the bill in response to a CalMatters story last year that highlighted how lawmakers were not required to tell the public if they were negotiating or had accepted a job with an organization trying to get something from the Legislature.

California – Ethics Panel Rejects $17,500 Fine for L.A. City Council Candidate; 2 Members Say It’s Not Enough

MSN – Noah Goldberg (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/22/2025

As a Los Angeles City Council aide, Jose Ugarte failed to disclose years’ worth of outside income he made from lobbying and consulting and, as a result, was prepared to pay a fine. But the city’s Ethics Commission rejected a $17,500 settlement agreement with the council candidate. Two commissioners said the fine was not quite large enough.

Colorado – Dark Money Group That Spent Big in Colorado’s Democratic Primaries Approved Funding for Vail Retreat for State Lawmakers, Lobbyists

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven and Jesse Paul | Published: 10/17/2025

A dark money group that has spent big in Democratic legislative primaries in Colorado to help more moderate candidates agreed to pay $25,000 to fund a hotel room block for a recent retreat in Vail where more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers mingled with lobbyists. Andrew Short, executive director of the nonprofit, One Main Street Colorado, asked the organization’s board in to approve the funds for the Opportunity Caucus event, according to an email.

Connecticut – Kosta Diamantis Guilty on All Charges in Corruption Trial

Connecticut Public – Andrew Brown and Dave Altimari (CT Mirror) | Published: 10/22/2025

Konstantinos Diamantis, Connecticut’s former deputy budget director, was found guilty of using his position overseeing the state’s school construction office to enrich himself and his family. Federal prosecutors presented a mountain of evidence that showed Diamantis negotiated payments from Acranom Masonry and a $45-per-hour job for his daughter with Construction Advocacy Professionals. Several witnesses said Diamantis used his influence at the state’s school building office to help those companies win lucrative construction contracts.

Georgia – Georgia Voter Turnout Groups Are Closing, Raising Questions About Democratic Strength

MSN – Charlotte Kramon and Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 10/16/2025

Two Georgia voter turnout groups credited with chipping away at Republicans’ edge in the state announced they are closing down, raising questions about whether Democratic organizing can be sustained in Georgia, where breakthroughs have yet to overturn overall Republican control of the state. Founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams in 2013 to register and turn out more nonwhite and young voters, the nonpartisan New Georgia Project, along with its affiliated New Georgia Project Action Fund, had been a political force.

Hawaii – New Maui Ethics Board Rules Silence Citizens with Pending Complaints

Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 10/23/2025

The Maui Board of Ethics unanimously approved sweeping new rule changes, including what several members of the public described as a gag order against anyone who files an ethics complaint against a county employee or elected official. Most of the 44 changes were in response to a county charter amendment voters approved last year to give the board greater independence and improve its operational efficiency.

Illinois – Illinois Elections Board Divided, Meaning Nearly $10 Million Fine Against Senate President Don Harmon Unlikely

Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/21/2025

The Illinois State Board of Elections split evenly along party lines on Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a recommendation that he violated campaign finance laws, making it unlikely it has the legal authority to impose a nearly $10 million fine against him for accepting political contributions in excess of legal limits. Deadlocked board members agreed to hold the issue over until the board’s scheduled November meeting at the latest, as its legal staff explored what, if any, past precedents provide guidance on the situation.

Illinois – ‘Political Opposition Is Not Rebellion’: Chicago appeals court leaves judge’s order barring National Guard deployment intact

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/16/2025

Saying “political opposition is not rebellion,” a federal appeals court in Chicago denied the Trump administration’s request for an emergency stay of a lower court judge’s order barring the president from deploying National Guard troops in the city and state. In its ruling, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said the findings by U.S. District Court Judge April Perry were not “clearly erroneous” and “the facts do not justify” President Trump’s actions.

Indiana – Indiana Republicans Don’t Have Votes for New Congressional Map Trump Wants

MSN – Brianna Tucker and Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 10/22/2025

The Indiana Legislature lacks the votes to pass a congressional redistricting plan ahead of the 2026 midterms. The resistance marks President Trump’s first major setback amid his nationwide redistricting push. It also comes despite Indiana’s Republican supermajority – the party holds 40 of the state Senate’s 50 seats.

Kansas – Kansas Secretary of State Seeks to Improve Efficiency of Filing Campaign, Lobbying Reports

Yahoo News – Tim Carpenter (Kansas Reflector) | Published: 10/21/2025

The Kansas secretary of state’s office recommended streamlining the processing of campaign finance records, lobbying reports, and statements of economic interest by filing those documents directly with the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission. State law mandates the secretary of state operate the government’s intake center for these documents, but his office does almost nothing with the records before transferring each to the ethics commission.

Kansas – Wichita Has New Rules for Reporting Contributions. So Far, Candidates Haven’t Followed Them

Yahoo News – Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 10/19/2025

Wichita City Council races have failed to follow the city’s campaign finance ordinance. The candidates filed their typical, state-required reports showing campaign fundraising and expenses with the Sedgwick County Election Office. But they have not followed new city rules that were supposed to add transparency to elections, specifically about donations from business owners who “stack” contributions by giving the maximum amount to candidates multiple times using different limited liability companies. That was not the only problem.

Kentucky – Power Tug of War Between Beshear, GOP Legislature Takes Center Stage at KY Supreme Court

Yahoo News – McKenna Horsley (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 10/16/2025

The Kentucky Supreme Court must once again balance power between the state’s executive and legislative branches. The court heard oral arguments in two cases involving the separation of powers between Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican office holders. One case centered on a law that shifts control of the State Fair Board from the governor to the agriculture commissioner. The second restructures the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, allowing each of the constitutional officers (except the lieutenant governor) to appoint a member.

Maine – Sheriff Directed Investigation into Maine Lawmaker Over Dropped Electioneering Charges

Yahoo News – Callie Ferguson (Bangor Daily News) | Published: 10/18/2025

Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane ordered the criminal investigation that led to a recently dismissed charge against Maine Rep. Nina Milliken, who was accused of illegally campaigning at a polling place. The documents shed light on the origins of a criminal investigation into a misdemeanor crime that is rarely, if ever, prosecuted. It provided a clearer look at initial evidence in the case, which primarily consisted of interviews with witnesses who gave conflicting accounts. A prosecutor dismissed the case after getting new evidence.

Maine – Latest Filings in Campaign Finance Court Battle Argue Maine Has Legal Right to Regulate Super PACs

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 10/22/2025

An appeal was filed in the First Circuit Court of Appeals after a U.S. District Court ruled a 2024 Maine law passed by voters was unconstitutional. The law placed limits on contributions to super PACs. Those behind the referendum make the case in their brief that Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission actually allows for super PACs to be regulated and a later decision that interpreted otherwise, and permitted unlimited spending by corporations, misinterpreted the landmark ruling.

Michigan – Oakland County IT Contract Awarded to Employee’s Company Violated Law, Investigation Finds

MSN – Dave Boucher (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 10/21/2025

Someone in Oakland County violated state law when a private company owned by a county employee received a six-figure contract, according to a private law firm’s investigation. But county officials do not believe criminal charges are needed. Instead, they hope policy changes, including making many employees acknowledge the county’s standards of conduct policy before they can apply for benefits, will prevent similar misconduct in the future.

New Jersey – Judge Weighs Arguments to Dismiss McIver’s Charges in Detention Center Case

Yahoo News – Steve Strunsky (Newark Star-Ledger) | Published: 10/22/2025

Lawyers for U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver argued in federal court that charges stemming from a scuffle at an immigrant detention center in Newark should be dismissed because she was fulfilling her congressional oversight duties and because the government was engaged in selective enforcement. McIver was indicted on three counts of assaulting, resisting, and obstructing federal officers. She and others were trying to prevent the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on a trespassing charge that was dropped 13 days later.

New York – New York GOP Suspends Young Republicans Chapter After Racist Chat Messages

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/17/2025

New York Republican Party officials suspended its Young Republicans chapter after racist and antisemitic chat messages shared among its members were made public, offering an unfiltered look at how some of the GOP’s up-and-coming leaders communicate in private. The vote came in response to a report on a tranche of leaked messages among leaders of Young Republican groups around the country. They reportedly sent messages that used racist and homophobic slurs, as well as praise for Adolf Hitler.

New York – Orange County IDA Seeks to Scrap Oversight Role as Lawmakers Object

Yahoo News – Nora Mishanec (Albany Times Union) | Published: 10/16/2025

The future of a state-appointed monitor for the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is once again the subject of a fight between the powerful economic development body and the state senator who has long criticized how it operates. More than two years after New York lawmakers approved hiring a forensic accountant to scrutinize the IDA’s decisions and operations, the agency’s leaders voted to hire an Albany lobbying firm to persuade those same lawmakers to get rid of the monitor at the end of his three-year term in May.

North Carolina – Developer Agreed to $15 Million Road for NC Town, but Lawmakers Paid the Bill

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 10/22/2025

At a Mooresville town board meeting three years ago, a developer pitched a plan for building 560 single-family homes and apartments. The developers promised a $15 million road through the middle of its development that would help alleviate traffic congestion in the town. But a year later, the state budget bill included a $15 million appropriation of state funds for the road. A media investigation into how lawmakers passed off a developer’s $15 million commitment onto the public shows how an interconnected group of lawmakers, lobbyists, and insiders worked behind closed doors with little public notice.

North Carolina – Republicans Advance Trump’s Redistricting Fight into Swing-State North Carolina

NPR – Adam Wagner | Published: 10/22/2025

North Carolina is the first swing state to draw new congressional districts amid a nationwide arms race between Republicans and Democrats to secure additional seats ahead of next year’s midterm election. Republican legislative leaders announced they wanted to redraw the map with the aim of winning 11 of the state’s 14 congressional districts. The GOP currently controls 10 of the seats. To accomplish that, Republicans focused on the First Congressional District, which is the state’s only swing district and has been represented by Black lawmakers for decades.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Commission Sues Rep. Ajay Pittman as AG Agents Search Capitol Office

MSN – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 10/17/2025

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission accused state Rep. Ajay Pittman in a civil case of fraud on the same day state agents ramped up a criminal investigation of her by searching her office at the Capitol. Pittman is accused in the lawsuit of committing fraud during settlement negotiations in a campaign finance case and on documents submitted as proof she was reimbursing her campaigns. The Oklahoman has reported the attorney general’s office is looking into her campaign spending.

Oregon – The Clock Is Ticking for Oregon Officials to Deliver on Campaign Finance Reform. Will They Do It?

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/18/2025

When Oregon legislators approved limits on political contributions, they promised they would soon move beyond the basics of the law and deliver needed clarifications and improvements on how it would work. But more than a year into that process, efforts by the secretary of state’s office to limit the role of money in politics have stalled, despite Oregonians’ strong support for such restrictions. Progress has been impeded by vague guidance from lawmakers and insufficient funding, raising the odds of a bungled rollout that could leave loopholes in the campaign finance system.

Oregon – Appeals Court Sides with Trump on Troop Deployment to Portland ICE Building

MSN – Maxine Bernstein (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/20/2025

A federal appellate court allowed President Trump to maintain federal control over the Oregon National Guard and deploy troops until the case is fully litigated in court. But the ruling does not mean troops will be on the ground immediately in Portland. Lawyers for the state and city of Portland pledged to file a motion asking for swift reconsideration by a larger contingent of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Oregon – Officials at the Heart of Oregon’s Data Center Scandal Had a Tangle of Conflicting Roles

MSN – Mike Rogoway (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/22/2025

The directors of a small Oregon nonprofit called Inland Development Corporation voted in 2017 to cut a $145,000 check to another nonprofit, Morrow Development, where state Rep. Greg Smith moonlighted as a contract employee. Immediately afterward, Inland named Smith and two others to its board of directors. They replaced three board members who resigned at that meeting. Smith and Inland’s other two new directors approved the sale of its most valuable asset, a fiber-optic provider called Windwave Communications, to a cadre of Inland insiders, including the three men who had just resigned from the nonprofit’s board.

October 23, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Illinois: “Illinois Elections Board Divided, Meaning Nearly $10 Million Fine Against Senate President Don Harmon Unlikely” by Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News Ethics Connecticut: “Kosta Diamantis Guilty on All Charges in Corruption Trial” by Andrew Brown and Dave Altimari (CT […]

October 22, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Oregon: “The Clock Is Ticking for Oregon Officials to Deliver on Campaign Finance Reform. Will They Do It?” by Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) for MSN Ethics Arizona: “Judge Dismisses Case Alleging Hobbs Administration Played Favorites in Marijuana Dispute” by Stacey Barchenger (Arizona […]

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