Press Releases Archive

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 […]

Treasury Department Opens Massive Loophole That Makes It Easier To Launder Foreign Money Into Our Elections

Treasury Department Just Opened Massive Loophole that Will Make it Easier for Russia and other Foreign Interests to Launder Unlimited, Undisclosed Illegal Contributions into Federal Elections Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Yesterday, the Treasury Department opened a massive loophole that will, as a practical matter, allow Russia, Russian oligarchs and other foreign interests […]

D21 Calls on House to Oppose Baseless Effort by Reps. Meadows & Jordan to Impeach Deputy AG Rosenstein

Democracy 21 Calls on House Members to Oppose Baseless Effort by Reps. Meadows and Jordan to Impeach Deputy AG Rosenstein In a letter sent to the House of Representatives today, Democracy 21 urged Representatives to vote against any articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein which may be brought to the floor of […]

Watchdogs File Supplemental Information with OCE Regarding Rep. Jim Jordan Complaint

Watchdogs File Supplemental Information with Office of Congressional Ethics Regarding Rep. Jim Jordan Complaint Yesterday, Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer and former White House chief ethics counsel 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 […]

Speaker Ryan is Wrong in Saying House Ethics Cmte Should Not Investigate Rep. Jordan’s Present Alleged Misconduct

Speaker Ryan is Wrong in Saying House Ethics Committee Should Not Investigate Rep. Jordan’s Present Alleged Misconduct Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer and Norman Eisen, former chief White House ethics lawyer, 2009-2011 On July 9, 2018 we asked the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) to undertake a preliminary ethics inquiry regarding statements Rep. […]