Trigger laws enabled some states to ban abortion the second the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Now Virginia is considering one that would limit political spending if the Court ever overturns Citizen United. bit.ly/3OYOEOV
The need for reforms to ensure the pardon power isn't perverted for corrupt, self-dealing purposes has never been clearer.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
While pardons are a crucial tool to correct injustices in the legal system, selling them to fraudsters, tax cheats, and corrupt politicians is a blatant abuse of presidential power.
NYT reports pardons going to the wealthy and politically connected who can pay $$ for insider lobbyists.
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/u...
How does Trump’s extraordinary self-enrichment since retaking office compare to historic instances of political corruption?
To learn more, read our latest Money in Politics Roundup: 1/3 bit.ly/3MSYmBN
The need for a new approach has never been clearer. Americans know the status quo isn't working. It's time for Congress to rein in corruption and build a government that works for everyone, not just the connected few.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
While these financial entanglements may not be illegal on their face because of loopholes in federal ethics laws, Trump has enriched himself financially on a scale unlike anything in U.S. history.
President Trump is using the White House to personally profit unlike any other president in U.S. history. The increase in his net worth in just the last year -- $3 billion -- is more than the total combined amount involved in the most notable American corruption scandals since the 1860s.
Our new new Money in Politics Roundup explores the Trump administration's unprecedented profiteering and the key campaign finance stories shaping the midterms.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
In our new Money in Politics Roundup, we dig into Trump's $3 billion in profiteering last year, the midterm races where spending is heating up, potential changes in the law for better or worse, and more! www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Important point just now in the NRSC v. FEC argument: the Court's assumptions and predictions in past campaign finance cases have turned out to be wrong in practice. That's a big reason why Citizens United and other decisions have caused such harmful consequences for American politics.
Discussion in NRSC v. FEC keeps returning to how the rise of super PACs has harmed parties. That's clearly true and underscores the need for reform, including ways to strengthen parties. But that's a job for Congress.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
The justices' questions in NRSC v. FEC about future challenges to other campaign finance laws highlights why this is an issue for Congress to address. Money in politics is a complex problem with many facets. But courts consider these laws in isolation.
Interesting to see the justices in the NRSC oral argument press Noel Francisco on future challenges to campaign finance law. This is making explicit how the dynamic at the Court works. Each law is considered in isolation, but the reality it’s a progressive chipping away of the rules.
Powerful point from Justice Sotomayor in today’s oral argument in NRSC v. FEC: “every time we tinker with Congress’s design [for campaign finance law] we make things worse. Indeed.
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Important point from Justice Sotomayor that the Court's interventions in campaign finance cases have caused more harm than good. Exactly right! As the Brennan Center argued in our amicus brief.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Justice Alito asks who is helped and who is hurt by party coordinated spending limits. That's an important policy question, but it's for Congress to consider, not the courts! It does not weigh on constitutional analysis under the First Amendment.
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Challengers say donors don't "launder" candidate contributions through parties because it's easier to write a massive check to a super PAC. Corruption is still corruption, even if there are easier paths for corruption.
Next week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a challenge to campaign finance rules aimed at guarding against political corruption. @eepetry.bsky.social explains what’s at stake:
These consequences of the Court's interventions show why judges are poorly suited to evaluating the complex policy considerations involved in regulating campaign spending. Lawmakers are much better suited to the task, and it's time for Congress to act!
The Supreme Court's track record in campaign finance cases since Citizens United has been the explosion of dark money, super PAC corruption, and cratering confidence in American democracy.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
President Trump has already made well over $1B off the presidency in his 2d term. Many of the deals he is profiting from appear to violate the Constitution’s foreign and domestic emoluments clauses. But Congress needs to codify them. Our new paper explains how: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Corruption is hardly a new problem, but the abuses taking place now are unlike anything seen in generations. Here’s what Congress can do about it: bit.ly/43MmpHM
To prevent corruption, the Constitution prohibits the president and other officials from receiving benefits from outside influences. However, Congress must act to ensure these provisions are enforceable. Our latest report offers recommendations for reform. bit.ly/3XdgCaq
A strategy that helped antiabortion activists in their quest to overturn Roe v. Wade could also work for campaign finance reform: enacting state "trigger laws" that challenge the legitimacy of Citizens United. bit.ly/3Xsczat
There's an underutilized tool states can use to directly challenge Citizens United and build momentum for legal change. My colleague @jayswanson.bsky.social and I write about the potential for trigger laws in our latest piece.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
A number of Trump’s actions in his second term potentially violate the Emoluments Clauses — which bar the president and other federal officials from receiving benefits from foreign governments, as well as federal or state governments. Join us for a Reddit AMA:
The DISCLOSE Act—which would require dark money groups to disclose contributions of $10k+—passed the House in 2010 and came within one vote of defeating a Republican filibuster. It's since passed the House multiple times in democracy packages. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/u...
My latest with @lisadanetz.bsky.social explaining what we can do to combat political corruption
