News

President Trump’s August: The Manic, Panicked President

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | August 16, 2018 “President Trump likes to talk about his base, but the reality is that the President’s base is a distinct minority of Americans.” President Trump has been acting in recent days as a manic, panicked president. Trump revokes John Brennan’s security clearance in an unprecedented action to punish […]

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 […]

Major Reform Opportunities Follow Major Scandals in Washington

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | August 10, 2018 “Since he became President, Trump has presided over the most corrupt and unethical administration in modern memory.” Yesterday, Representative Chris Collins (R-NY) was indicted for violating insider trading rules. A very powerful case was spelled out against him in the indictment. This week also saw a detailed […]

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 […]

Protecting The Mueller Investigation Means Defending Rosenstein, Too

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | August 2, 2018 “It is essential that both Mueller and Rosenstein be forcefully defended at every step of the way.” President Trump has hit the panic button. In calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions yesterday to shut down the Mueller investigation, of which he is a subject, the President publicly […]

GOP Reps.’ Attack On Rosenstein Is An Attempt To Undermine Mueller Investigation – CNN op-ed by Wertheimer & Eisen

Enclosed for your information is an op-ed entitled “GOP Reps.’ Attack On Rosenstein Is An Attempt To Undermine Mueller Investigation,” by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer and former White House chief ethics counsel Norman Eisen which was published on CNN on July 28, 2018. Read the full piece below or on CNN’s Opinion page here. GOP […]

President Trump’s Dangerous Poll Numbers

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | July 26, 2018 “President Trump is currently paying a big price with the American people for his irrational and often irresponsible approach to governing our country.” Recent polls confirm that President Trump’s Helsinki summit was a disaster for the President, with a Quinnipiac poll, for example, showing Trump’s approval rating […]

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 […]