Press Releases Archive

Democracy 21 Challenges Sen. Graham on Abandoning his Pledge to the American People to Protect Mueller Investigation from Interference

Democracy 21 Challenges Sen. Graham on Abandoning his Pledge to the American People to Protect Mueller Investigation from Interference In a letter sent to Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today, Democracy 21 expressed deep concern about the Senator’s apparent abandonment of his earlier pledge to the American people “to make sure that Mr. Mueller can continue […]

Democracy 21 Files Complaint with Office of Congressional Ethics Against Rep. Duncan Hunter

In a complaint filed today with the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer called on the OCE to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the conduct of Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA). “Rep. Hunter and his wife were apparently ripping off their campaign donors by living off of their campaign contributions in gross […]

Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer on Senator John McCain

  I join with innumerable others in our country and throughout the world in expressing my deepest sympathies to Cindy McCain and the McCain family on the loss of Senator John McCain. Senator McCain was a servant of the people in the truest sense of the words and an American hero in many ways. Senator […]

D21 files Justice Department complaint requesting investigation of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross

In a complaint filed today with the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Democracy 21 called on Public Integrity to investigate whether Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross “has committed criminal violations of 18 U.S.C. § 208 and/or 18 U.S.C. § 1001.” “According to published reports, Wilbur Ross had a long history of highly […]

Watchdogs File Supplemental Information with Office of Congressional Ethics Re Complaint Filed Against Rep. Jim Jordan

Today, Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer and former White House chief ethics lawyer Norman Eisen (2009-2011) sent a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) that provided supplemental information to a July 9, 2018 complaint they filed requesting that OCE conduct a preliminary inquiry into the conduct of Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH). The July […]

Federal Law Prohibits the “Solicitation” from a Foreign Source that Occurred with Regard to the June 9, 2016 Trump Tower Meeting

Federal law prohibits a person from soliciting contributions, including in-kind contributions, from foreign nationals in connection with a federal election. The prohibition on soliciting a contribution is violated regardless of whether the person receives the contribution being solicited. President Trump has admitted, in writing, that the June 9, 2016 meeting in Trump Tower between senior […]

President Trump Hits the Panic Button, Publicly Interferes with Mueller Investigation and Manafort Trial

President Trump has hit the panic button. In calling on Attorney General Sessions yesterday to shut down the Mueller investigation, of which he is a subject, the President publicly acted to obstruct the criminal investigation. In tweeting a message yesterday supportive of Paul Manafort and labeling his criminal prosecution “a hoax,” the President improperly interfered […]

Statement: Reps. Meadows & Jordan Recklessly Pervert Impeachment Process to Play Irresponsible Partisan Political Games

Representatives Mark Meadows (R-NC) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) in filing articles of impeachment yesterday against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein are recklessly perverting the Constitution’s solemn impeachment process to play irresponsible partisan political games. The effort to impeach Mr. Rosenstein is unprecedented, unwarranted, meritless, and a gross abuse of the impeachment process and of the […]

Reform Groups Urge Members to Support New CLEAN Politics Act to Close Lobbying Disclosure Loopholes and Restrict Lobbyist Fundraising for Members

In a letter sent to Members of Congress today, reform organizations and experts called on Members to support and cosponsor the “Curtailing Lobbyists and Empowering Americans for a New Politics Act (CLEAN Politics Act).” This legislation was introduced today in the House by Representatives John Sarbanes (D-MD and in the Senate by Senator Michael Bennet […]

Nationwide Vigils Against Corruption Show Public Demands Lawmakers Take Action to Protect and Strengthen Our Democracy

Americans in nearly 200 cities and towns around the country held candlelight vigils on Wednesday night to confront government corruption and demand democracy, a signal to lawmakers that the public is ready for their leaders to take action to protect the rule of law and make sure every voice can be heard in the political […]