Ethics Archives - Page 3 of 311 - State and Federal Communications

October 21, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Kansas: “Wichita Has New Rules for Reporting Contributions. So Far, Candidates Haven’t Followed Them” by Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) for Yahoo News Elections Georgia: “Georgia Voter Turnout Groups Are Closing, Raising Questions About Democratic Strength” by Charlotte Kramon and Jeff Amy (Associated […]

October 20, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Sues Rep. Ajay Pittman as AG Agents Search Capitol Office” by Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) for MSN Ethics California: “Newsom Signs Law Forcing Lawmakers to Disclose New Jobs” by Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) for MSN National: “Former Trump Aide John Bolton […]

October 17, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 17, 2025

National/Federal Skeptical Judges Increasingly Question Administration’s Veracity MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2025 In recent days, a Trump-appointed judge in Oregon declared the president’s decision to send the National Guard to Portland was “simply untethered to the […]

National/Federal

Skeptical Judges Increasingly Question Administration’s Veracity

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

In recent days, a Trump-appointed judge in Oregon declared the president’s decision to send the National Guard to Portland was “simply untethered to the facts.” As that and other admonishments have rained down from federal judges, White House officials have responded with increasingly fervid rhetoric. Taken to an extreme, that tension could threaten fundamental parts of the American legal system. In the more immediate term, the legal experts said, the increasingly adversarial relationship could reshape how prosecutors are viewed in courtrooms, making it harder for the federal government to convince judges that it is telling the truth.

Missouri Democrats Have an Opportunity to Block a New Congressional Map. They Say They’re Largely on Their Own.

MSN – Aaron Pellish (Politico) | Published: 10/11/2025

Democrats are pushing ahead with last-ditch efforts to stymie Republican mid-decade redistricting in Missouri and Ohio, although they face unclear paths to blocking the potential gerrymanders. Party leaders in the two states are mobilizing campaigns to prevent the GOP-drawn maps from going into effect ahead of next year’s midterms, but both efforts have seen only modest support from Washington.

Trump Escalates His Use of Federal Power to Target Democratic States

MSN – Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) | Published: 10/12/2025

President Donald Trump’s move to cancel projects in Democratic states during the government shutdown has prompted a furor and cries of partisanship. But it is only the latest example of his administration’s efforts to use power in ways that damage blue states and help red ones. Funding is not the only area fueling the allegation among Democrats that blue America is being targeted.

Airports Say They Won’t Air Kristi Noem Shutdown Video at TSA Checkpoints

MSN – Shannon Najmabadi and Aaron Gregg (Washington Post) | Published: 10/13/2025

Airports in more than a half-dozen U.S. markets have declined to display a video in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blames congressional Democrats for the government shutdown and any related travel delays, citing the political nature of its content. Officials that oversee airports in Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, and Seattle said the video could violate internal policies that bar political messaging or contravene state or federal laws that prohibit the use of public resources for political activity.

Trump Allies Sold Sponsorships to What Appeared to Be a Treasury Event. It Wasn’t.

MSN – Josh Dawsey (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 10/13/2025

An investment fund run by prominent Trump supporters tried to sell sponsorships for a conference it pitched to companies as the “Inaugural U.S. Treasury A.I. Summit,” during which it said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would unveil the Treasury Department’s artificial-intelligence strategy. The fund, called 1789 Capital, circulated the pitch to technology companies in recent weeks, calling the event “historic.” It offered an array of perks, including a VIP cocktail party and dinner, to those who paid.

Fox News Among Broadcasters Refusing to Sign Pentagon Press Pledge

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2025

Fox News, along with ABC, CBS, and NBC, will not sign the Defense Department’s new press policy. Fox’s dissent is notable considering the Trump-friendly views of many of its opinion hosts, whose ranks previously included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The policy prohibits journalists from accessing or soliciting information the Defense Department does not make available for them and revokes Pentagon press credentials from those who will not sign on.

How Inflatable Frog Suits Became the Protest Fashion Statement of the Year

MSN – Ashley Fetters Maloy (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2025

Operation Inflation is an organization providing puff-up costumes, like Thanksgiving Day parade balloons in miniature, to those protesting the crackdown by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In high-profile protest movements, imagery is everything. In the days since Operation Inflation began, protesters in huge cartoon animal suits have been multiplying, adding to a long tradition of strategic costuming decisions in American political protests while giving it a new twist.

Judge Orders Trump Administration to Pause Shutdown Layoffs

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plans to lay off thousands of federal workers during the government shutdown, siding with unions, which have argued the dismissals were illegal. The government has argued that agencies have broad authorities to reorganize workforces to conform to the president’s priorities. But the unions for federal workers said the layoffs were improperly handled, politically motivated, and based on a false premise the shutdown allows the government not to continue its statutory requirements.

Supreme Court Rejects Alex Jones’s Bid to Set Aside $1.4 Billion Verdict

MSN – Justin Jouvenal and Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2025

The Supreme Court rejected a bid by conspiracy theorist and Infowars founder Alex Jones to set aside the historic $1.4 billion jury verdict against him for defaming families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary mass killing. Jones was found liable for falsely claiming the 2012 shooting that left 20 students and six adults dead was a hoax carried out to confiscate guns and create momentum for gun-control regulations.

Is Democracy Melting? With an Ice Sculpture, These Artists Think So

MSN – Nina Heller (Roll Call) | Published: 10/15/2025

As the government shutdown drags on with no clear end in sight, a 3,000-pound ice sculpture was unveiled on the National Mall, spelling out the word “democracy.” Glinting in the midday sun, it started melting almost immediately. Titled “Last Call – DemocracyICED,” the sculpture is part of a national campaign led by Ben & Jerry’s ice cream co-founder Ben Cohen called Up in Arms, which calls for less military spending and more money for social programs.

‘Law and Order’ Push Shows a Trump No Longer Encumbered by Naysaying Aides or Government Guardrails

MSN – Will Weissert and Jill Colvin (Associated Press) | Published: 10/16/2025

Now settled into his second term, President Trump has embraced the kind of tough-on-crime approach he has always campaigned on but was unable to achieve with the naysayers who often checked his most extreme instincts during his first four years in office. In the process, his administration has sometimes trampled law enforcement norms and critics say Trump has weaponized the Department of Justice, using it to go after political opponents.

Trump’s Pardon Proposals Go Global Despite Allies’ Corruption Charges

MSN – Patrick Marley and Adam Taylor (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025

President Trump’s efforts to disband programs that promote democracy abroad and downplay allegations of corruption and human rights abuses in other countries took on an added dimension when he appeared before Israel’s parliament and called for pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The request to dismiss corruption charges was the latest in a long line of actions reversing America’s long-standing posture as an exporter of democratic values.

Trump Wants a White House Ballroom. These Companies Are Funding It.

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski and Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025

President Trump said his ballroom construction project is fully financed after Coinbase, Apple, and dozens of other companies committed millions of dollars to please a president who has long dreamed of leaving his mark on the White House. Trump treated donors from Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and the defense sector to a dinner in the East Room as a thank-you, praising them for quickly heeding his call for support and noting some offered as much as $25 million.

GOP Congressman Says Capitol Police Is Investigating Swastika in His Office

MSN – Alec Dent (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025

Rep. Dave Taylor said he requested that the U.S. Capitol Police investigate an American flag with a swastika on it found in his office. A screenshot from a virtual meeting that included Angelo Elia, who works as a legislative correspondent in Taylor’s office, was shared online. The image shows Elia in front of what appears to be a cubicle wall bearing a small American flag altered so the stripes form a swastika, hung up alongside a copy of the Constitution and memes about Ohio.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Supreme Court Orders Dunleavy Backers to Comply with Subpoenas in Campaign Finance Case

Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 10/10/2025

The Alaska Supreme Court ordered backers of Gov. Mike Dunleavy to respond to subpoenas that seek to find whether they violated state campaign finance laws in the lead-up to the 2022 election. The ruling stems from complaint alleging the Republican Governors Association created a group called A Stronger Alaska ahead of the election as a shell entity to improperly spend money in support of Dunleavy’s reelection campaign without disclosing its donors as required by state law.

California – Only One San Diego County Supervisor Pays to Rent a District Office. The Landlord? A Major Campaign Donor.

MSN – Lucas Robinson (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 10/12/2025

San Diego County’s lease for a district office used by Supervisor Joel Anderson is set to steer hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to the owners of the building over the term of the agreement. Those owners, records show, are a powerful family who have been notable donors to Anderson’s campaigns. The arrangement could create an appearance of a conflict-of-interest, as Anderson’s office has steered public dollars to a business owned by a family who have been his political benefactors.

Colorado – A Group of Democratic State Lawmakers Gathered with Lobbyists at a Vail Retreat. Who Paid the Tab?

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven and Jesse Paul | Published: 10/13/2025

At least 17 Democratic state lawmakers gathered with lobbyists during a weekend retreat at a Vail hotel organized by the nonprofit Colorado Opportunity Caucus. As a nonprofit, the Opportunity Caucus does not have to report its donors. Nonprofits file annual financial forms, called 990s, that generally only include their total revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities.

Colorado – Former State Senator Agrees to Pay Nearly $3K to Settle Campaign Finance Violations Surfaced by Colorado Sun

Colorado Sun – Jesse Paul | Published: 10/14/2025

Former Colorado Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis agreed to pay nearly $3,000 to settle allegations she violated campaign finance laws. The allegations stemmed from reporting by The Colorado Sun. Jaquez Lewis, who resigned from the legislature in February, admitted to failing to report campaign spending on several occasions. She also admitted using campaign funds to hire a staffer to campaign on behalf of another candidate, which is prohibited.

Florida – Florida Judge Temporarily Blocks Transfer of Downtown Miami Land for Trump’s Presidential Library

MSN – Kate Payne (Associated Press) | Published: 10/14/2025

A Florida judge temporarily blocked the planned transfer of prime downtown Miami land for President Trump’s future presidential library. The move by Circuit Court Judge Mavel Ruiz came after an activist alleged officials at a local college violated Florida’s open government law when they gifted the sizable plot of real estate to the state, which then voted to transfer it to the foundation for the planned library.

Florida – Citing Safety Concerns, Commission on Ethics Chair Requests Public Records Exemption for Staff

Yahoo News – Mitch Perry (Florida Phoenix) | Published: 10/15/2025

Saying that an individual has called more than 35 times making threats to the Florida Commission on Ethics in the past week, Commission Chairperson Jon Philipson is requesting lawmakers provide a public records exemption for the personal information and addresses of the staff and commissioners during the 2026 legislative session. Commissioners must now complete a financial disclosure that Philipson said was “more invasive and more expansive” than a previous version.

Hawaii – Campaign Commission Will Push Again for Reforms Lawmakers Keep Rejecting

Honolulu Civil Beat – Richard Wiens | Published: 10/9/2025

The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission voted to resurrect four government reform measures next year that were rejected by the 2025 Legislature. For two of the bills, it will be the fourth try. One would expand partial public campaign financing while another would prohibit elected officials from accepting campaign contributions during legislative sessions. Another proposal would close a loophole that allows contributions to officeholders from people connected with state contractors and grants.

Illinois – Ex-AT&T Illinois President Could Escape Conviction After Striking Deal in Madigan Bribery Case

Chicago Sun Times – John Seidel | Published: 10/14/2025

The former AT&T Illinois president who allegedly bribed ex-state House Speaker Michael Madigan agreed to resolve his prosecution by paying a $200,000 fine and admitting to most of the accusations against him. Still, Paul La Schiazza could walk away without a conviction if he holds up his end of a one-year deal made official in the courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Robert Gettleman.

Illinois – Appeals Court Bars Trump from Deploying National Guard in Illinois

MSN – Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/11/2025

A federal appeals court said it will not allow President Trump to deploy the National Guard in Illinois, largely preserving a ruling that had suspended the administration’s campaign to send troops into the Chicago area. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, however, said the president could federalize the Guard for now, as the appeals court said it will later decide on that question. It is unclear what the Guard will be doing without the ability to deploy.

Illinois – Election Board Hearing Officer Recommends Illinois Senate President Don Harmon Pay Nearly $10 Million Fine

Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/14/2025

The State Board of Elections will decide whether it should follow a hearing officer’s recommendation and reject Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a nearly $10 million fine for accepting campaign contributions in excess of state limits. At issue is an Illinois election law, which Harmon co-sponsored, aimed at curbing the influence of big money in campaigns and one key provision that ostensibly was written to ensure lesser-funded candidates were not hurt by the campaign contribution limits.

Indiana – Hogsett Ignored Thomas Cook’s Secret Relationship as Money Flowed to Developers

Yahoo News – Tony Cook (Indianapolis Star), Peter Blanchard, and Emily Hopkins (Mirror Indy) | Published: 10/13/2025

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has long cultivated a reputation for public integrity. One government watchdog group awarded him the title “Mr. Clean.” But a media investigation found Hogsett ignored conflicts-of-interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives. Perhaps nobody benefited as much as Thomas Cook, the mayor’s former chief of staff who was forced to resign because of a prohibited relationship with a subordinate.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Seems Open to Limiting Key Section of Voting Rights Act

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025

The Supreme Court seemed open to further limiting the use of race in drawing legislative maps, a move that could undermine the last major pillar of the Voting Rights Act, which has bolstered the power of minority voters and candidates for more than half a century. The court’s conservative majority appeared sympathetic to arguments by attorneys for Louisiana and the Trump administration who said race played too large a role in the decision to create a second majority-Black congressional district in the state, in violation of the Constitution’s provision that all people must be treated equally.

Maine – Is This Top Senate Recruit Too Old to Run? Some Democrats Think So.

MSN – Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2025

Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ campaign for U.S. Senate has reignited a contentious debate about candidates’ ages in a Democratic Party increasingly eager to inject more youth into its aging ranks. Mills is 77 and would be the oldest freshman senator ever if she wins the seat held by Sen. Susan Collins. Democratic losses in 2024 have led many party activists to urge a passing of the torch to younger leaders, particularly after years of dominance by congressional leaders in their 70s and 80s.

Massachusetts – Boston Prosecutors Invoke Law Used Against Anarchists to Charge Protesters

Seattle Times – Jenna Russell (New York Times) | Published: 10/10/2025

Protesters who clashed with police in Boston recently are facing felony charges of assault and inciting a riot, a strong statement by city and state officials at a high-stakes moment of federal intervention in other Democrat-led cities. Four Boston police officers were injured in a confrontation with more than 200 protesters. Thirteen protesters were to be charged with inciting a riot, a felony charge that is also known as “promotion of anarchy,” with origins in early 20th-century fears of anarchist violence. If convicted, they could face up to three years in prison.

New Hampshire – N.H. Ethics Panel Decides GoFundMe to Help House Staffer’s Tragic Loss Is Permitted

Yahoo News – Kevin Landrigan (Manchester Union Leader) | Published: 10/12/2025

The Legislative Ethics Committee decided that nearly $3,500 in donations raised by friends, colleagues, and one lobbyist on a GoFundMe page to help an executive assistant to New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard after a fire seriously damaged her home were exempt from the state’s ban on gifts to lawmakers and staffers. Since 2016, the state has had a ban on gifts of more than $50 to lawmakers and staff but there are 15 extensive exceptions.

New Mexico – Ethics Commission: Lawmakers and campaigns allowed to spend funds for security

Yahoo News – Danielle Prokop (Source New Mexico) | Published: 10/14/2025

In the wake of recent bomb threats against New Mexico lawmakers, two legislators asked state ethics officials to decide whether lawmakers and candidates are allowed to use campaign funds for “security expenses.” The short answer, according to the state Ethics Commission, is yes.

New York – New York Man Convicted of Illegal Straw Donor Scheme during President Trump’s Reelection Campaign

Associated Press News – Staff | Published: 10/15/2025

A New York City man was convicted of conducting an illegal straw donor scheme in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. A federal jury found Xinyue “Daniel” Lou guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of making contributions in the name of others. Lou faces up to 10 years in prison.

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Trump Foe, Is Indicted by Trump’s DOJ

MSN – Erica Orden, Kyle Cheney, Jeff Coltin, and Nick Reisman (Politico) | Published: 10/9/2025

Following sustained pressure from President Trump to prosecute his perceived political enemies, a federal grand jury indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on charges related to alleged mortgage fraud. The indictment charges James with one count of bank fraud and one count of false statements to a financial institution for allegedly obtaining a loan for a home in Virginia that required her to use the property as a secondary residence. According to the indictment, she instead used the home as a rental investment property.

New York – With Eric Adams in Albania, NYC Ethics Organization Mulls More Travel Disclosure Regs

Yahoo News – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 10/10/2025

The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board is proposing tighter disclosure rules for elected officials who accept travel perks from special interest groups or foreign governments. In part, the new regulations were inspired by public concern over trips like Mayor Eric Adams’ jaunts abroad during his time in office. Elected officials are required to report third-party reimbursements for official travel topping $1,000. The threshold for agencies to report gifts to the board, however, is $5,000. The board is now proposing to lower the agency threshold to $1,000.

North Carolina – North Carolina GOP Announce Plans to Vote on New House Map Amid Nationwide Redistricting Battle

MSN – Gary Robertson (Associated Press) | Published: 10/13/2025

North Carolina Republican legislative leaders announced plans to vote on redrawing the state’s U.S. House district map, taking up President Trump’s call to secure more GOP seats nationwide. The push to retool already right-leaning boundaries for the ninth-largest state comes amid a major party battle spanning several states to revamp district lines to partisan advantage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

North Carolina – Gambling Campaign Donations Go to Sheriffs, Legislators, NC Appeals Court Judge

Yahoo News – Brian Gordon (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 10/15/2025

Daniel Storie donated $6,500 to the campaign of Judge Jefferson Griffin, who was running for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Danny Storie, his father, contributed the same amount to the Griffin campaign the same day. When the Stories made these donations, Griffin was among 15 North Carolina appellate court judges who could have been selected to a three-judge panel that would hear the son’s appeal when Robeson County sheriff threatened to shut down Daniel Storie’s business, No Limit Games, which operated video sweepstakes.

Ohio – Investigation Reveals Ohio Commission Struggled to Recoup $96 Million Campaign Finance Fees

WKYC – Rochelle Alleyne (WBNS) | Published: 10/14/2025

An analysis found that almost $96 million in penalties the Ohio Elections Commission has handed out since 1987 remains uncollected. It is an issue that led Secretary of State Frank LaRose to describe the commission as a “toothless organization” in a May 2025 press release. Commission Executive Director Philip Richter said the agency does not have the power to make anyone pay.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Lawmakers Compare ‘Dark Money’ to Laundering in Interim Study, Discuss Red Tape

KOSU – Lionel Ramos | Published: 10/14/2025

Some Oklahoma lawmakers are keen on regulating ‘dark money’ used to influence state and local elections. An interim study of the subject in the House Elections and Ethics Committee discussed the dangers and possible solutions to a growing concern. “… It’s just like laundering money, is what it is,” Rep. Meloyde Blancett said.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Campaign Finance Website to Remain Offline for More Than a Month

MSN – Alex Gladden (Oklahoman) | Published: 10/10/2025

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission plans to have its website for campaign finance reports back online October 28, putting it offline for more than a month. The system, called Guardian 2.0, is a revamped website that allows people seeking elected office to file their campaign filings and for the public to view those reports.

Pennsylvania – Man Who Set Fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Mansion Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder

MSN – Jesse Bunch (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 10/14/2025

Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting the governor’s mansion ablaze in an attempt on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s life, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and related crimes and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. The blaze broke out as the governor and his family slept. They were awakened by state troopers and escaped unharmed with the two family dogs.

Rhode Island – R.I. Elections Board Slashes Campaign Finance Fines in the Hopes of Getting Scofflaws to Pay Up

Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 10/10/2025

Ric Thornton, director of campaign finance at State Board of Elections, aims to reduce the $6.2 million dollars of outstanding fines for missing or overdue Rhode Island campaign finance reports by 25 percent by the end of the year. He does not expect to convince former candidates and officeholders to make good on their six-figure debts. Instead, Thornton is invoking a new state regulation he helped create, which lets the elections board cap fines on campaign finance violations and suspend the old accounts to stop late fees from accruing.

October 16, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Illinois: “Election Board Hearing Officer Recommends Illinois Senate President Don Harmon Pay Nearly $10 Million Fine” by Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News New Mexico: “Ethics Commission: Lawmakers and campaigns allowed to spend funds for security” by […]

October 15, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Colorado: “Former State Senator Agrees to Pay Nearly $3K to Settle Campaign Finance Violations Surfaced by Colorado Sun” by Jesse Paul for Colorado Sun Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Lawmakers Compare ‘Dark Money’ to Laundering in Interim Study, Discuss Red Tape” by Lionel Ramos for […]

October 14, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Campaign Finance Website to Remain Offline for More Than a Month” by Alex Gladden (Oklahoman) for MSN Ethics National: “Trump Escalates His Use of Federal Power to Target Democratic States” by Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) for MSN Indiana: “Hogsett Ignored Thomas […]

October 13, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Alaska: “Supreme Court Orders Dunleavy Backers to Comply with Subpoenas in Campaign Finance Case” by Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) for Yahoo News Rhode Island: “R.I. Elections Board Slashes Campaign Finance Fines in the Hopes of Getting Scofflaws […]

October 10, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 10, 2025

National/Federal Bari Weiss to Be Named Top Editor at CBS News MSN – Will Oremus, Caroline O’Donovan, and Jeremy Barr (Washington Post) | Published: 10/3/2025 The newly formed media giant Paramount Skydance will acquire the Free Press, an online publication, and install […]

National/Federal

Bari Weiss to Be Named Top Editor at CBS News

MSN – Will Oremus, Caroline O’Donovan, and Jeremy Barr (Washington Post) | Published: 10/3/2025

The newly formed media giant Paramount Skydance will acquire the Free Press, an online publication, and install its founder, Bari Weiss, as editor in chief of CBS News. The move heralds a new era at the 98-year-old broadcast network, whose corporate parents made moves to address the Trump administration’s allegations of liberal bias as they sought approval for an $8 billion merger that was finalized in August.

Democrats’ Defiance on Shutdown Shows a New, Tougher Approach to Trump

MSN – Naftali Bendavid and Yasmeen Abutaleb (Washington Post) | Published: 10/4/2025

Democrats’ defiant approach to the current government shutdown reflects a party mood that has shifted dramatically as a growing number of Democrats inside and outside Washington are embracing all-out confrontation with President Trump. Only a few months ago, some leading voices in the party, stunned by Trump’s broad election win, were counseling against picking unnecessary fights or appearing to reject the voters’ will. But in this shutdown battle, and a growing number of political fights around the country, it is harder to find Democrats arguing against forceful resistance.

States Try Getting Tough on Political Violence After Charlie Kirk Killing

MSN – Daniel Han and Natalie Fertig (Politico) | Published: 10/4/2025

Charlie Kirk’s murder spurred efforts to get tough on political violence in statehouses around the country. But states had been grappling with different types of legislation to stem the violence in a year that has been full of it, from the arson attack against Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to the assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. Political violence experts said legislation could be practical in mitigating some acts of violence, though not a panacea.

Trump Officials Keep Talking About DOJ’s Biggest Prosecutions – Putting Cases in Jeopardy

MSN – Erica Orden (Politico) | Published: 10/5/2025

President Trump is deploying the Justice Department to punish and prosecute his perceived enemies and advance his political agenda. But his color commentary, and that of senior members of his administration, about the cases is threatening to derail them in court. Public comments by Trump and high-ranking officials including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have already become flashpoints in high-profile cases.

Justice Department Takes Case Against Trump Supporter to Trial

MSN – James Fanelli (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 10/5/2025

A Justice Department firmly in Donald Trump’s control is in the unusual position of putting on trial one of the president’s supporters and dredging up allegations of Chinese money flowing into his unsuccessful 2020 re-election effort. Prosecutors charged Xinyue Lou during the Biden administration. He is accused of orchestrating a straw-donor scheme to circumvent contribution limits. Prosecutors said he recruited and reimbursed donors to a 2019 fundraiser at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort with the goal of helping Chinese nationals attend.

Trump Official Bypassed Ethics Rules in Criminal Referrals of Fed Governor and Other Foes, Sources Say

MSN – Marisa Taylor and Chris Prentice (Reuters) | Published: 10/6/2025

The Trump appointee accusing the president’s political foes of mortgage fraud skipped over his agency’s inspector general when making criminal referrals, bypassing rules meant to ensure that federal officials do not abuse their power for partisan purposes. Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, earlier this year made criminal referrals against targets including Lisa Cook, the Federal Reserve governor whom President Trump has tried to dismiss, for alleged crimes related to their mortgages.

Judges Appointed by Trump Keep Ruling Against Him. He’s Not Happy About It.

MSN – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 10/6/2025

While President Trump and his allies have spent all year leveling pointed attacks at Democratic judicial appointees, labeling them rogue insurrectionists and radicals, the president is increasingly facing stark rejections from people he put on the bench. The brushbacks have come mainly from District Court judges, who occupy the lowest level of the three-tiered federal judiciary. In some cases in which Trump-appointed judges have heard Trump-related cases, they have delivered sweeping warnings about the expansion of executive power, the erosion of checks and balances and have criticized his attacks on judges writ large.

James Comey Pleads Not Guilty to Criminal Charges Following Trump Pressure to Prosecute

MSN – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 10/8/2025

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty in his first appearance in court as a criminal defendant in a case that has roiled the Justice Department and prompted outcry that President Trump is weaponizing criminal charges against his enemies. The judge set a January 5, 2026, trial date. Comey is facing two felony charges stemming from his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2020, when he discussed leading the FBI amid an investigation into ties between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

Conservative Push for Charlie Kirk Statues Revives Debate on Memorials

MSN – Kelsey Ables and Katie Tarrant (Washington Post) | Published: 10/8/2025

It was not long after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot that pitches for monuments to the 31-year-old conservative activist began to surface. The push for such monuments, particularly at college campuses, is unusual, experts say. Many figures given statues in the U.S. have been deceased for decades. The effort reflects how Kirk, a star among young conservatives but also divisive for his controversial rhetoric on race, sexuality, and other issues, has been hailed by the right as a kind of martyr.

Trump Is Complicating the GOP’s Anti-Censorship Campaign

MSN – Naomi Nix and Will Oremus (Washington Post) | Published: 10/9/2025

For years, Republicans have denounced tech companies’ policies barring hateful and misleading posts, alleging that a sweeping liberal censorship operation led by the Biden administration was forcing social media platforms to suppress conservative voices. That campaign is running into an awkward new obstacle: President Trump’s efforts to rein in liberal speech.

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Ghislaine Maxwell’s Appeal

MSN – Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/6/2025

The Supreme Court said it would not hear Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal of her sex-trafficking conviction, declining to consider arguments from the imprisoned associate of deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein that she was improperly prosecuted. The Epstein case and the prosecution of Maxwell have been an issue for the Trump administration for months. The case has long fueled conspiracy theories and speculation, and the decision not to release further Epstein-related files ignited outrage among President Trump’s right-wing base.

Jose Uribe Gets No Jail Time After Cooperating in Menendez Trial

MSN – Kristie Cattafi and Katie Sobko (Bergen Record) | Published: 10/9/2025

The star witness in former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s federal corruption and bribery trial was sentenced to no jail time after cooperating with the federal prosecutors and pleading guilty to federal charges last year. Jose Uribe, one of three New Jersey businesspeople indicted alongside Menendez, spent several days during Menendez’s trial testifying against the then-senator and admitted bribing him. Instead of prison, Uribe was sentenced to home detention for six months and three years of supervision.

Trump Fires Black Officials from an Overwhelmingly White Administration

Seattle Times – Elisabeth Bumiller and Erica Green (New York Times) | Published: 10/8/2025

There have been a series of firings of Black officials from high-profile positions in an overwhelmingly white Trump administration that has banished all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the federal government. While there are no statistics on firings by race, an examination of the people Trump is appointing to fill those and other jobs shows a stark trend. Of President Trump’s 98 Senate-confirmed appointees to the administration’s most senior leadership roles in its first 200 days, only two, or two percent, are Black.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Ontario Labour Minister Attended Lobbyist’s Wedding After Granting His Clients Millions in Training Funds

The Trillum – Charlie Pinkerton and Jack Hauen | Published: 10/8/2025

Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini attended the wedding of a lobbyist after his office awarded the lobbyist’s clients millions of dollars through a training fund program the province’s auditor general recently described as “not fair, transparent or accountable.” Piccini, who has final say over who receives money through the $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund, was in Paris to attend the wedding of Michael Rudderham, a lobbyist and longtime friend of the minister.

California – Favors & Deals at CapRadio

MSN – Ishani Desai (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 10/6/2025

Two influential Capital Public Radio (CapRadio) leaders skirted guardrails intended to fortify the nonprofit against ethical lapses and steered $1.1 million in contracts to a former board treasurer’s company. Western Contract, a company owned by Bill Yee, who was CapRadio’s board treasurer, secured two deals with CapRadio, the first for about $126,000 and the second for roughly $992,000. Records show Yee offered personal favors to Jun Reina, who was CapRadio’s chief financial officer, while brokering these transactions and succeeded in bypassing the competitive bid process.

California – Nonprofit Wins Ruling Over S.F. in Bribery Probe; City Officials Call Decision ‘Bizarre’

Yahoo News – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/9/2025

A San Francisco nonprofit accused of misappropriating public dollars and bribing a former city official will not be barred from doing business with the city, an official ruled in the administrative case against the organization. The ruling by hearing officer Andrea McGary in the case against Collective Impact is the first significant legal decision in the yearslong episode surrounding the nonprofit and its ties to Sheryl Davis, the former executive director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

Colorado – Denver Board of Ethics ‘Appalled’ by Denver International Airport Spending on Overseas Conference

MSN – Brian Maass (KCNC) | Published: 10/3/2025

The city’s Board of Ethics cleared Denver International Airport and its chief executive officer, Phil Washington, of an ethics violation related to a trip to a conference in Madrid earlier this year. But the board said it was “appalled by both the amount of funds that were expended for this conference and by Mr. Washington’s seemingly cavalier attitude in responding to this complaint.”

Connecticut – Kosta Diamantis Bribery Trial Begins Following Multiyear Probe

Connecticut Public Radio – Andrew Brown (CT Mirror) | Published: 10/6/2025

The federal criminal trial of Konstantinos Diamantis, a former state deputy budget director who is accused of using his position overseeing Connecticut’s school building program to solicit tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from construction contractors, has begun. The trial is the culmination of a nearly four-year investigation into Diamantis, a former Democratic lawmaker who climbed to the highest levels of the state government before he became the target of the criminal probe in 2021.

District of Columbia – The Trump-Epstein Statue Is Back on the National Mall, Days After Its Abrupt Removal

NPR – Rachel Treisman | Published: 10/3/2025

A statue of President Trump skipping hand-in-hand with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has returned to the District of Columbia’s National Mall, over a week after it was abruptly removed in the pre-dawn hours. Trump has sought to downplay his friendship with the disgraced financier, who died in jail in August 2019.

Hawaii – Senator Voted for Bills Backed by Lobbyists He’s Going to Work For

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair and Blaze Lovell | Published: 10/5/2025

State Sen. Henry Aquino is stepping down to go to work for one of the biggest lobbying firms in the state after serving in the Hawaii Legislature for 17 years. In the 2025 legislative session, Hawaii Public Policy Advocates backed two dozen bills before Aquino’s Labor and Technology Committee, which voted to approve more than a third of them. It is Aquino’s legislative experience that may be of the most interest to a business like Hawaii Public Policy Advocates with wide-ranging interests.

Hawaii – Dark Money Group Blankets Maui in Ads to Influence Vacation Rental Bill

Honolulu Civil Beat – Erin Nolan | Published: 10/7/2025

For months, a District of Columbia-based group called Progress Action has been spending thousands of dollars to inundate Maui residents with radio and online advertisements warning that Mayor Richard Bissen’s plan to phase out about half the island’s short-term rentals would be “a failure and a mistake.” Records that are available indicate Progress Action is a PAC or nonprofit that is effectively skirting state campaign finance laws and lobbying disclosure requirements that could normally provide greater transparency.

Illinois – Illinois Sues to Block Trump’s National Guard Deployment to Chicago

MSN – Ben Szalinski, Brenden Moore, and Hannah Meisel (Capitol News Illinois) | Published: 10/6/2025

Illinois and Chicago filed a federal lawsuit to block the Trump administration’s planned deployment of National Guard troops to the state, a move Gov. JB Pritzker called an “invasion.” Trump pushed forward with the plan to activate hundreds of National Guard soldiers, including some from Texas, despite monthslong opposition from state and local leaders, as well as objections from civic and business groups in the city.

Illinois – Supreme Court Poised to Revive GOP Congressman’s Absentee Ballot Suit That Could Spur More Election Litigation

MSN – John Fritze (CNN) | Published: 10/8/2025

A majority of the Supreme Court indicated it will back a Republican member of Congress from Illinois who is challenging a state law that allows mail ballots to be received after Election Day, a decision that would let him proceed with a potentially explosive lawsuit that lower courts had rejected. Rep. Michael Bost’s appeal is not focused on the ballot issue itself but rather it raises the question of whether federal candidates may sue over election regulations, even if, as in Bost’s case, they represent a safe district and are highly favored to win election.

Illinois – Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin Will Pay $30,000 to Settle Ethics Cases

Yahoo News – Gregory Royal Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/2/2025

Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin will pay a $30,000 fine to settle two ethics cases stemming from findings that she misused taxpayer resources for personal and political purposes and improperly fired whistleblowers. The Chicago Board of Ethics found Conyears-Ervin violated the city’s ethics ordinance 12 times and issued the maximum fine of $60,000, or $5,000 per breach.

Indiana – Undisclosed Conflicts, Contracts with Donors, Lavish Travel: What the IEDC audit found

Yahoo News – Kayla Dwyer and Hayleigh Colombo (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 10/2/2025

Gov. Mike Braun’s administration unveiled the results of an audit into the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the quasi-governmental organization that drives economic strategy for Indiana, finding a “lack of transparency and accountability in the management of state funds” by third parties and raising concerns about “the potential for favoritism and misuse of public funds.” Some areas of concern overlap with the findings in an Indianapolis Star investigation, which unveiled that a top executive at the IEDC was part of decisions to award millions in grant money to entities he or two of his business associates were involved in.

Iowa – ICE Arrest Reveals Hidden Past of an Iowa Schools Superintendent

MSN – Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 10/5/2025

When the Des Moines School Board announced former Olympic athlete Ian Roberts as superintendent in 2023, he was praised as a “career educator” and a “proven champion for creating equitable opportunities for all students to thrive.” Now, his tenure at Iowa’s largest school district has come to an abrupt end. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Roberts, surprising the education world by revealing him as an undocumented immigrant with a final order of deportation.

Kansas – Wichita City Council Candidate Returns Campaign Cash Amid Confusion Over Finance Rules

MSN – Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 10/7/2025

The Kansas Legislature voted in March to increase limits for political contributions from $500 to $2,000 for large city elections, and Gov. Laura Kelly signed it into law in early April. But a Wichita city ordinance that was in place before the changes caps contributions for city council candidates at $500. The conflicting rules have led to controversy.

Massachusetts – Mike Kennealy Plans to Continue Ignoring Mass. Loan Limit Law, Lawyer Tells Regulators

MSN – Chris Van Buskirk (Boston Herald) | Published: 10/7/2025

Gubernatorial hopeful Mike Kennealy plans to continue ignoring a Massachusetts law that limits the amount of cash a candidate for governor can loan themselves for each election, even after regulators asked him multiple times to reclassify hundreds of thousands of dollars that he has loaned his campaign. Kennealy pledged to seed his campaign with $2 million in loans. But the loans, including $200,000 he recently gave his campaign, have started to draw scrutiny from state regulators because of a law that limits candidate loans to $200,000 per election cycle.

Michigan – Oakland Co. Executive Moves to Strengthen Ethics Policies Among Officials After Backlash

Detroit News – Max Bryan | Published: 10/3/2025

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter is moving to strengthen the county’s ethics policies after backlash about the chair of the board of commissioners working as a paid outside consultant for private firms and a contract that was awarded to a county employee. Coulter’s announcement comes after some county commissioners and Oakland County residents raised concerns about Board of Commissioners Chairperson Dave Woodward working as a paid consultant for Sheetz.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Commission Investigating Ryan Walters Again Over Possible Ethics Violations

MSN – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 10/7/2025

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is investigating Ryan Walters – again. Walters resigned as state schools superintendent recently to become the chief executive officer of a new nonprofit organization called the Teacher Freedom Alliance. The commission revealed it is actively investigating potential violations of its conflict of interest rule “as related to … Walters’ departure.”

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Campaign Finance Site Offline for Weeks as State Revamps System

Yahoo News – Alex Gladden (Oklahoman) | Published: 10/4/2025

Oklahoma’s website for campaign finance reports remains offline after a new launch of the site fell behind schedule. Lee Anne Bruce Boone, the executive director of the state Ethics Commission, has not yet said when the system will be back online.

Oregon – Judge Deals Trump New Setback in Plans to Deploy Troops to Portland

MSN – Holly Bailey, Praveena Somasundaram, Joseph Menn, and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) | Published: 10/6/2025

A federal judge dealt another blow to the Trump administration’s plans to send troops to Portland, temporarily blocking hundreds of California National Guard members as they were deploying to Oregon’s biggest city over objections from Democratic governors in both states. U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut said the government appeared to be directly defying her previous temporary restraining order from a day earlier blocking the administration from sending Oregon’s National Guard to the city by instead deploying members of California’s Guard.

Texas – Former Lawmaker Sent $450K in Unspent Funds to His Own Charity

MSN – Taylor Goldenstein (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 10/7/2025

Like many outgoing members of the Texas House, Rep. Chris Paddie in 2022 still had unspent campaign money he would need to offload in the coming years – in his case, $450,000. Under state law, he could either return that money to donors, give it to political causes, donate it to a charity, or surrender it to the state treasury. Paddie opted for charity, but not just any. The same day he resigned, he filed paperwork to launch his own nonprofit, and three weeks later he transferred $450,000 to the newly formed Paddie Family Foundation.

Texas – Texas GOP Lawyer and Former FEC Chair Trey Trainor Announces Run for Chip Roy’s Seat in Congress

MSN – Gabby Birenbaum (Texas Tribune) | Published: 10/6/2025

Trey Trainor, a longtime Republican operative and former chairperson of the FEC, launched a bid for the 21st Congressional District in Texas, setting up a competitive GOP primary for the open seat. Trainor, who has decades of experience in the state’s conservative legal movement, is running to succeed Rep. Chip Roy, who is giving up his seat to run for Texas attorney general. The district is situated in the Hill Country and contains parts of Austin and San Antonio.

Texas – Majority of Harris County Commissioners’ Campaign Dollars Come from People Whose Contracts They Approve

Yahoo News – John Lomax V and Matt Zdun (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 10/5/2025

A Houston Chronicle analysis of campaign finance reports from January 1 to June 30 of this year indicates that Harris County commissioners’ campaigns are funded largely through contributions made by individuals and businesses that contract or work with the county. Commissioners are not directly involved in awarding contracts, but they do vote to approve contracts presented at meetings. Support from at least three of the five commissioners is also needed to hire or fire department heads, who have a more direct hand in selecting county contracts.

Utah – Lawmakers in Utah Pass New Congressional Map Aimed at Preserving GOP Power

MSN – Patrick Marley and Patrick Svitek (Washington Post) | Published: 10/6/2025

Republican lawmakers in Utah adopted a GOP-leaning congressional map, diminishing Democrats’ hopes of gaining a House seat in the conservative state. The Legislature was compelled to redraw its map after a judge ruled the one it approved four years ago violated the state constitution. Democrats hoped the ruling would give them an advantage in one of the state’s four House seats, which are all held by Republicans. The new map, which still needs court approval, could result in more competitive races, but the GOP retained an advantage in all four districts.

Vermont – Vermont’s Legislators Don’t Have to Disclose Gifted Trips

Seven Days – Hannah Bassett | Published: 10/8/2025

Five state representatives from Vermont were among 250 lawmakers from around the country that attended a conference in Israel that promised to offer an “in-depth exploration of Israel’s leadership, society, heritage and spirit of innovation,” according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry paid the participants’ expenses of $6,500 per person. Despite its high price tag and Israel’s effort to woo participants, neither the Vermont lawmakers nor the foreign ministry were required to disclose anything about the trip or the gifts provided to make it possible, such as compensated airfare, hotel stays, or meals.

Virginia – Democratic Candidate’s ‘Abhorrent’ Texts Threaten to Shake Up Bellwether Virginia Elections

MSN – Gregory Svirnovskiy (Politico) | Published: 10/4/2025

A string of text messages from Jay Jones, Virginia’s Democratic nominee for attorney general, where he mused about violence directed toward a political rival is triggering widespread backlash and threatening to shake up the state’s November election. In August 2022, Jones wrote about shooting then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert in text messages he sent to state Del. Carrie Coyner. Jones publicly apologized for the messages.

Virginia – Financial Disclosure Gaps, Questionable Gifts Cloud Earle-Sears’ Bid for Governor

Yahoo News – Markus Schmidt (Virginia Mercury) | Published: 10/8/2025

Virginia gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears built her political brand on transparency and accountability. Her public filings reveals a pattern of omissions and inconsistencies in her financial disclosures, including a $12,000 “gift” far above the state’s legal limit. The records show Earle-Sears, who has served as lieutenant governor since 2022, repeatedly failed to disclose gifts and travel benefits as required under state law, and in several instances amended her filings only after watchdogs or reporters raised questions.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin GOP Bill Aims to Clamp Down on Credit Card Campaign Contributions

Wisconsin Public Radio – Rich Kremer | Published: 10/9/2025

Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin are pushing a bill to bar any political party or candidate from accepting online credit card donations unless the contributor provides a verification code and U.S. address. The bill is part of growing right-wing scrutiny of the Democratic fundraising juggernaut ActBlue, fueled in large part by President Trump. ActBlue has called the allegations politically motivated.

October 9, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections Illinois: “Supreme Court Poised to Revive GOP Congressman’s Absentee Ballot Suit That Could Spur More Election Litigation” by John Fritze (CNN) for MSN Texas: “Texas GOP Lawyer and Former FEC Chair Trey Trainor Announces Run for Chip Roy’s Seat […]

October 8, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Kansas: “Wichita City Council Candidate Returns Campaign Cash Amid Confusion Over Finance Rules” by Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) for MSN Massachusetts: “Mike Kennealy Plans to Continue Ignoring Mass. Loan Limit Law, Lawyer Tells Regulators” by Chris Van Buskirk (Boston Herald) for MSN […]

October 7, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “Justice Department Takes Case Against Trump Supporter to Trial” by James Fanelli (Wall Street Journal) for MSN Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Campaign Finance Site Offline for Weeks as State Revamps System” by Alex Gladden (Oklahoman) for Yahoo News Ethics California: “Favors & Deals at […]

October 6, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Texas: “Majority of Harris County Commissioners’ Campaign Dollars Come from People Whose Contracts They Approve” by John Lomax V and Matt Zdun (Houston Chronicle) for Yahoo News Ethics Washington DC: “The Trump-Epstein Statue Is Back on the National […]

October 3, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 3, 2025

National/Federal Congressional Conflicts: Lawmakers dump Tylenol stock before autism controversy MSN – Mark Stricherz (Center Square) | Published: 9/29/2025 Before President Trump warned pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol, three members of Congress dumped stock in the company that makes […]

National/Federal

Congressional Conflicts: Lawmakers dump Tylenol stock before autism controversy

MSN – Mark Stricherz (Center Square) | Published: 9/29/2025

Before President Trump warned pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol, three members of Congress dumped stock in the company that makes the popular painkiller, sell-offs that saved them from incurring sizable losses, a media investigation found. The lawmakers sold $1,001 to $15,000 each in Kenvue, a consumer products company that spun off from Johnson & Johnson two years ago. The sales are notable also because most investment analysts recommended that investors hold their shares.

White House Considers Funding Advantage for Colleges That Align with Trump Policies

MSN – Laura Meckler and Susan Svrluga (Washington Post) | Published: 9/28/2025

The White House is developing a plan that could change how universities are awarded research grants, giving a competitive advantage to schools that pledge to adhere to the values and policies of the Trump administration on admissions, hiring, and other matters. The new system would represent a shift away from the unprecedented wave of investigations and punishments being delivered to individual schools and toward an effort to bring large swaths of colleges into compliance with Trump priorities all at once.

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Decide Whether He Can End Birthright Citizenship

MSN – Devan Cole and John Fritze (CNN) | Published: 9/26/2025

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, pushing the issue before the justices for the second time this year. While the Supreme Court handed down a decision in June that dealt with birthright citizenship, that case was technically focused on a more procedural question of how much power lower courts had to stop a policy implemented by a president.

Trump Administration Moves to Defund Inspector General Watchdog Group

MSN – Meryl Kornfierld (Washington Post) | Published: 9/30/2025

The Trump administration plans to end funding for an oversight group that helps inspectors general root out waste, fraud, and abuse, marking the latest example of Trump’s drive to limit federal watchdog activities. The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency is the umbrella organization for 72 inspectors general across government. It acts as a watchdog of the watchdogs, providing training, peer reviews, and cross-agency oversight work for inspectors general. It also runs oversight.gov, where whistleblowers can disclose wrongdoing and inspector general reports are shared publicly.

A New Lawsuit Alleges the Gun Industry Exploited Firearm Owners’ Data for Political Gain

MSN – Corey Johnson (ProPublica) | Published: 9/25/2025

Two major law firms accused the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) of violating the privacy rights of millions of gun owners by running a decades-long program that sent their information to political operatives without consent. The complaint asks the court for approval of class-action status and requests financial damages against the NSSF, claiming the gun industry lobbying group enriched itself by exploiting valuable gun buyer information for political gain.

Trump Administration Illegally Targeted Pro-Palestinian Protesters, Judge Rules

MSN – Joanna Slater (Washington Post) | Published: 9/30/2025

The Trump administration’s push earlier this year to arrest and deport international students for their pro-Palestinian activism was illegal, U.S. District Court Judge William Young ruled, calling the crackdown a “truly scandalous and unconstitutional suppression of free speech.” He said he would decide an appropriate remedy for the Trump administration’s conduct after a future hearing. The case brought by a union of university professors accused the administration of having an unconstitutional policy of deporting people based on their political views.

Lawmakers Across the Country This Year Blocked Ethics Reforms Meant to Increase Public Trust

MSN – Gabriel Sandoval (ProPublica) | Published: 10/1/2025

At a time when the bounds of government ethics are being stretched in Washington, D.C., hundreds of ethics-related bills were introduced this year in state Legislatures. Democratic and Republican lawmakers tried to push through bills to tighten gift limits, toughen conflict-of-interest provisions, or expand financial disclosure reporting requirements. While legislation strengthening ethics oversight did pass in some places, lawmakers across multiple states targeted or thwarted reforms.

Supreme Court Allows Lisa Cook to Remain on Fed Board for Now

MSN – Justin Jouvenal and Andrew Ackerman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/1/2025

The Supreme Court ruled Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook can remain in her job for now and announced it will take up a high-stakes case over President Trump’s attempt to remove her from the central bank. The court will hear arguments in the case in January, and its temporary ruling will last at least until then. The provisional ruling to allow Cook to keep her job signals hesitation from at least some of the justices regarding the president’s aggressive campaign to oust Cook and gain tighter control over the Federal Reserve.

Government Agencies Are Blaming the Shutdown on Democrats. Ethics Experts Say It Could Be Against the Law.

MSN – Faith Wardell (Politico) | Published: 10/1/2025

Agencies across the federal government are explicitly blaming Democrats for the government shutdown, from banners on top of public websites to suggested out-of-office messages for federal employees, in an unusually overt show of partisan messaging that some ethics experts say may violate federal law. The deluge of statements began hours before the shutdown with a single red pop-up posted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website. “The radical left are going to shut down the government,” the page read.

Judge Blocks Kari Lake from Laying Off Over 500 Voice of America Staffers

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 9/30/2025

U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth temporarily blocked the layoffs of more than 500 Voice of America employees, delivering a setback to the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the United States’ international broadcasting agency. The order comes amid a protracted legal battle over whether the administration’s gutting of the U.S. Agency for Global Media violates federal broadcasting law.

White House Withdraws Controversial Pick to Lead Bureau of Labor Statistics

MSN – Lauren Kaori Gurley, Emily Davies, and Andrew Ackerman (Washington Post) | Published: 9/30/2025

The White House withdrew its nomination of E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics. President Trump chose Antoni to replace the former commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, a Biden appointee, who was fired by the president hours after the release of weak jobs data. Trump claimed, without evidence, that data produced under her watch was “rigged.” Antoni’s nomination drew criticism from Democrats and both liberal and conservative economists because of his partisan views and lack of experience.

Supreme Court Allows Trump Officials to Freeze Billions in Foreign Aid

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 9/26/2025

The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to freeze more than $4 billion in foreign aid, a victory for the president’s push to exert greater control over federal spending. The justices lifted a preliminary injunction from a federal judge who found the president had usurped Congress’s power of the purse by refusing to spend billions of dollars it had budgeted for food, medicine, and development around the world.

With Comey Prosecution, Trump Fulfills Promise of Revenge

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 9/26/2025

Soon after a federal grand jury indicted former FBI Director James Comey, President Trump declared “JUSTICE IN AMERICA!” in a social media post, following up with a post calling Comey a “destroyer of lives” and “A DIRTY COP.” Trump’s predecessors sought to distance themselves from the Justice Department’s prosecutorial decisions, declining to weigh in on pending cases. Trump, in contrast, openly intervened in the Comey case, pushing out a prosecutor who declined to bring charges, replacing him with an ally and publicly demanding that Attorney General Pam Bondi act.

Nexstar and Sinclair Bring Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Back to Local TV Stations

Yahoo News – Wyatte Granham-Phillips and Andrew Dalton (Associated Press) | Published: 9/26/2025

Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group brought Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show back to their local television stations, ending a dayslong TV blackout for dozens of cities across the U.S. Kimmel’s suspension lasted less than a week, while the affiliate blackout stood for just over a week.

Why K Street Is Now Living in Fear of Trump’s Retribution Campaign

Yahoo News – Caitlin Oprysko, Brendan Bordelon, and Yasmin Khorram (Politico) | Published: 9/30/2025

Much of the private sector is paralyzed by President Trump’s broader efforts to leverage the might of the government to bend companies to his whims. But that pressure is magnified in government affairs shops across Washington, where corporations are desperate to curry Trump’s favor and avoid his wrath. The job market is so precarious in the Trump era that it has been tough for even moderate Republicans to get land a big influence job on K Street, let alone Democrats, said Jeff Forbes, a founding partner at the lobbying firm Forbes Tate Partners.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Ethics Commission Issues Guidance on ‘Revolving Door’ Provisions

Alabama Reflector – Ralph Chapoco (Alabama Reflector) | Published: 10/2/2025

The Alabama Ethics Commission said former public officials and employees may accept employment after leaving government from businesses they or their employers dealt with as public officials, provided they do not lobby for them. The decision permits Gary Fuller, the outgoing mayor of the city of Opelika, and Micah Williamson, a former rehabilitation specialist with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, to take positions with third-party firms without violating “revolving door” provisions of the ethics law.

Arizona – She Didn’t Report Paying Her Fiancé Public Campaign Cash. Now This Dem Faces Penalties

USA Today – Ray Stern (Arizona Republic) | Published: 9/28/2025

Arizona campaign finance officials rejected a proposed $7,000 sanction for a state lawmaker who flouted the law while paying her fiancé with public campaign cash, with one official saying Rep. Anna Abeytia should pay a larger fine. The sanction proposed by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission for Abeytia included a $5,000 fine for ignoring campaign finance reports and inquiries by the commission during the runup to her successful 2024 election.

Arizona – Conservatives Say Charlie Kirk Shooting Shows Need for Anonymous Political Spending

Yahoo News – Taylor Seely (Arizona Republic) | Published: 9/28/2025

The day after conservative political leader and Arizona resident Charlie Kirk was assassinated, leaders from Christian, conservative, and libertarian non-profits stood outside the Arizona Supreme Court with a sign. “STOP DONOR DOXING,” it read. Attorneys and leaders spoke about Kirk and how his death underscored the need to allow people to make anonymous donations to political campaigns. The state’s high court had just heard arguments over whether to overturn the Voters’ Right to Know Act.

Arizona – AZ Supreme Court Allows GOP Lawmakers to Challenge Voter-Approved Dark Money Disclosure Law

Yahoo News – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy (Arizona Mirror) | Published: 9/29/2025

The legal battle over a voter-approved anti-dark-money law passed in 2022 will continue as the Arizona Supreme Court said Republican lawmakers have a right to legally challenge the law but did not rule on its constitutionality. The decision comes as the court has been weighing another challenge to the law brought by proponents of anonymous campaign spending who are challenging its constitutionality. The ruling was on a case brought by GOP lawmakers who claim that the voter-approved proposition takes away their legislative powers, violating the state constitution.

California – Newsom Signs Elections Bills Allowing Public Financing, Curbing Voting Incentives

MSN – Lia Russell (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 10/2/2025

Californians will vote next year on an initiative to repeal a ban on public financing in elections and another that prohibits offering payouts or other incentives to people for registering to vote. Several charter cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles have public financing, but after former Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in 2016 expanding the practice, courts ruled voters would need to approve lifting a statewide ban on public financing that was voted on by a ballot initiative in the 1980s.

California – Company Wins $1.9 Million Verdict in Baldwin Park Cannabis Corruption Scandal

MSN – Jason Henry (San Gabriel Valley Tribune) | Published: 9/22/2025

A company that purchased a cannabis license connected to a bribery scheme set up by Baldwin Park officials won a $1.9 million verdict. A jury determined that former City Attorney Robert Tafoya, Councilmember Manny Lozano and former city council member Ricardo Pacheco committed fraud and are personally liable for $1.6 million of the total. The city of Baldwin Park is on the hook for an additional $290,000 for “negligence,” according to the jury’s verdict.

California – LAHSA Adopts Conflict of Interest Policy After LAist Exposes Ethics GapsLAHSA Adopts Conflict of Interest Policy After LAist Exposes Ethics Gaps

MSN – Aaron Schrank (LAist) | Published: 9/26/2025

The top homelessness agency for the Los Angeles region approved its first-ever conflict-of-interest policy months after reporting revealed the agency’s chief executive officer signed contracts with a nonprofit tied to her husband. The new policy says Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority officials with real or perceived conflicts will no longer be named on contract signature lines.

California – Oakland School Board Director Faces Up to $95,000 in Ethics Penalties

MSN – Ashley McBride (Oaklandside) | Published: 10/1/2025

Oakland Unified school board director Mike Hutchinson is facing 19 ethics violations over his failure to file campaign finance disclosures for his unsuccessful 2016 campaign for the school board. According to a report prepared by the commission’s enforcement chief, he failed to file a key disclosure form for his 2016 campaign. City records show Hutchinson’s 2016 campaign only submitted various incomplete versions of Form 410, which candidates and committees file to set up their campaign accounts. As Hutchinson has not yet closed the campaign account, the filing failures have piled up.

Florida – Florida Officials Vote to Donate Land to Trump Library. There’s Backlash.

MSN – Lori Rozsa (Washington Post) | Published: 9/30/2025

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his cabinet voted to donate a prime piece of land in downtown Miami – next to the iconic Freedom Tower – for the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library. The vote came after a surprise move by the DeSantis administration to take over the vacant lot from Miami Dade College. The plan drew immediate backlash from many in Miami’s Cuban American community, who say the tower, known as the “Ellis Island of the South,” represents the opposite of Trump’s mass deportation campaign and tough immigration policies.

Nevada – Court Rules Trump’s U.S. Attorney in Nevada Was Unlawfully Appointed

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 9/30/2025

A federal judge disqualified President Trump’s pick for U.S. attorney in Nevada, ruling she had been unlawfully appointed. It is the second court ruling in as many months to cast doubt on the Justice Department’s novel strategy for retaining the president’s most controversial appointees in top prosecutorial roles. The judge concluded that Sigal Chattah, who was appointed interim U.S. attorney in March, had served beyond the 120-day expiration date for that role and Trump administration efforts to keep her past that deadline did not withstand legal scrutiny.

New Jersey – NJ Teachers Union Misused Dues to Fund Chief’s Bid for Governor, Lawsuit Claims

Yahoo News – Nikita Biryukov (New Jersey Monitor) | Published: 9/30/2025

Two public school teachers are suing the New Jersey Education Association, alleging the teachers’ union violated the law when it funneled $40 million to former union president Sean Spiller’s gubernatorial campaign this spring. The suit alleges the union improperly used dues it said would not fund its political committees to fuel the independent expenditure groups that backed Spiller’s failed bid for the Democratic nod for governor.

New Jersey – Archives Released Too Much of Sherrill’s Military Record to GOP Rival’s Allies

Yahoo News – James LaPorta (CBS News) | Published: 9/26/2025

A branch of the National Archives released a mostly unredacted version of U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s military records to Nicholas De Gregorio, an ally of Jack Ciattarelli, her Republican opponent in the New Jersey governor’s race. The disclosure potentially violates the Privacy Act of 1974 and exemptions established under the Freedom of Information Act.

New York – Super PACs Pay $900,000 to Settle Inquiry Tied to Zeldin, Head of EPA

Breaking One – Nicholas Fandos, Shane Goldmacher, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 9/25/2025

Two Republican super PACs paid nearly $1 million to quietly settle an inquiry into whether they illicitly coordinated with the campaign of Lee Zeldin during his 2022 run for governor of New York. The state’s top elections watchdog spent years investigating the matter, using subpoenas to try to show there was illegal overlap between the Zeldin campaign and two groups that spent $20 million supporting it, Save Our State Inc. and Safe Together New York. The fine is the largest ever paid in a super PAC coordination case in New York.

New York – NY AG James Turns to Legal Defense Fund Amid Scrutiny from Trump DOJ

Gothamist – Jimmy Vielkind | Published: 9/29/2025

New York Attorney General Letitia James is turning to a national Democratic group to fund her legal defense as prosecutors appointed by President Trump investigate and bring charges against his adversaries. James, a Democrat, won a 2023 fraud judgement against the president that cast doubt on Trump’s claims to be a brilliant businessperson. The Democratic Attorneys General Association said contributions would be routed through a 527 organization and would be disclosed in an annual filing. That kind of organization can accept unlimited donations in order to influence policies, appointments, or elections.

New York – Eric Adams Grinds on in Quest for Public Campaign Dollars

MSN – Greg Smith (The City) | Published: 9/29/2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams may have thrown in the towel on his reelection fight, but he is still demanding millions of taxpayer dollars worth of campaign matching funds to pay off outstanding bills from his now defunct campaign. He is doing that while facing the very real possibility the Campaign Finance Board, which has been denying him these funds for months, may go a step further and move to recapture millions of dollars it had approved for him in his 2021 campaign.

New York – Good Government Groups: N.Y. lobbyists must be mandated to report campaign contributions

Spectrum News – Kate Lisa | Published: 1/26/2025

Good-government groups want New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to get behind a push supported by the state’s ethics watchdog to require lobbyists to disclose their political contributions to campaigns. A coalition of ethics advocates urged members of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government to back a proposal to close the campaign finance loophole during a public hearing in New York City. The group is weighing more than 40 proposals to strengthen state ethics and lobbying laws for its 2026 legislative agenda.

New York – Eric Adams Ends Reelection Campaign

Yahoo News – Joe Anuta and Jeff Coltin (Politico) | Published: 9/28/2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he is ending his reelection campaign, a move that virtually ensures he will lose in November and seals his fate as the city’s first one-term mayor since David Dinkins. The mayor blamed city election officials, lingering concerns over a since-dismissed federal bribery case and the media for undermining his effort to secure a second term.

North Carolina – Former NCGOP Director to Lead ‘Election Integrity’ Efforts, Serve as Election Board Liaison, Says NC Auditor

MSN – Will Doran (WRAL) | Published: 9/26/2025

The leaders of all 100 county election boards in North Carolina will now report to and be trained by Dallas Woodhouse, a longtime Republican Party operative, state Auditor Dave Boliek told some county elections officials. Woodhouse, who led the state GOP from 2015 to 2019, most recently worked as the North Carolina director for the group American Majority. That group explicitly describes its goal: to help Republicans and hurt Democrats in elections.

Ohio – Ohio Redistricting Process Hits Dead End as Republicans Play Waiting Game

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/30/2025

The first phase of Ohio’s latest congressional redistricting process ended in gridlock, with increasing signs that Republicans intend to wait out the process so they can redraw the state’s 15 congressional districts without Democratic support. September 30 was a state constitutional deadline for the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass a map with bipartisan support. But as a joint legislative redistricting committee wrapped up its work, the panel’s Republican co-chair said his party has not even put together any redistricting plan yet.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Senators Consider Foreign Agent Disclosure Rules Amid China Influence Concerns

MSN – Alexia Aston (Oklahoman) | Published: 9/30/2025

State lawmakers could consider legislation or ethics rules that would require people in Oklahoma advocating on behalf of a foreign entity, country, organization, or individual to disclose their relationship with that entity. During an interim study session in the Senate Judiciary Committee, senators considered ways to establish the state’s own version of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Oregon – Trump Calls for Troops in Portland, Escalating Use of Military Inside U.S.

MSN – Michael Birnbaum, Dan Lamothe, and Todd Frankel (Washington Post) | Published: 9/27/2025

President Trump said he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, and to immigration detention facilities around the country, authorizing “Full Force, if necessary” and escalating a campaign to use the U.S. military against Americans that has little modern precedent. The announcement appeared likely to set up a first test for a White House effort targeting left-wing protest groups. It came just days after Trump signed an executive order directing the nation’s full counterterrorism apparatus against domestic political opponents despite long precedent restricting such a move.

Rhode Island – New Limits on Gifts for Lawmakers and Who Can Give Them Are Coming in the New Year

Yahoo News – Alexander Castro (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 9/30/2025

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission approved two proposed rule changes regarding gifts to public officials. The first change increases the gift cap for public officials, who will soon be able to receive $50 single gifts, or $150 worth of gifts in aggregate in one year, from the same person. The other measure widens the ethics code’s definition of an “interested person” to include all lobbyists, including ones working on behalf of nonprofits.

Rhode Island – Ethics Commission OKs State Rep’s Bid to Rejoin Court-Appointed Counsel List

Yahoo News – Alexander Castro (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 9/30/2025

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission approved a petition from state Rep. Jason Knight, who is a criminal defense attorney, to apply to rejoin the state judiciary’s roster of court-appointed lawyers available to represent indigent defendants. Commissioners voted to adopt a staff recommendation concluding the ethics code does not disallow Knight from returning to the state Supreme Court’s attorney list. Normally, as an elected official, Knight would be barred while in office and for one year after leaving his elected position.

Texas – Texas Investigation into Teachers’ Posts After Charlie Kirk’s Death Violates Their Free Speech, Experts Say

MSN – Jaden Edison (Texas Tribune) | Published: 9/30/2025

The Texas Education Agency investigation into teachers’ social media comments after Charlie Kirk’s killing has legal experts and public education advocates troubled by what they say amounts to a “witch hunt” that shows a lack of regard for educators’ free speech rights. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath had sent a letter to superintendents criticizing content he found “reprehensible and inappropriate” and promising to refer such posts to his agency’s investigative unit with a recommendation the instructors have their teaching licenses suspended.

Texas – Dallas City Council Delves Deeper into Ethics Debate, Rejects Nominee to Ethics Board

MSN – Devyani Chhetri (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 10/1/2025

A majority of the Dallas City Council rejected their colleague’s nominee to the ethics advisory commission, citing adversarial online conduct by her husband. Posts and videos by the husband featured caricatures of city officials, sometimes using deepfake artificial intelligence. Natalie LeVeck, council member Bill Roth’s nominee, is a senior counsel at Google and teaches law at Southern Methodist University.

October 2, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance New Jersey: “NJ Teachers Union Misused Dues to Fund Chief’s Bid for Governor, Lawsuit Claims” by Nikita Biryukov (New Jersey Monitor) for Yahoo News New York: “Super PACs Pay $900,000 to Settle Inquiry Tied to Zeldin, Head of EPA” by Nicholas Fandos, […]

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