Wertheimer Political Report, March 5, 2026
DEMOCRACY 21
Democracy 21 and Fred Wertheimer have advocated for the DISCLOSE Act since it was first introduced in 2010 by Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Chris Van Hollen. The bill passed the House that year and came within one vote of being passed by the Senate and signed into law. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse took over leadership of the bill in the following Congress and has been leading the fight to enact the DISCLOSE Act since 2012.
I stated in the press release linked below on the reintroduction of the bill yesterday:
“We applaud Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for the powerful national leadership he has provided to protect the American people from the flow of corrupting secret, or dark, money in the nation’s capital. Unlimited dark money contributions, spent to influence elections and officeholders, are among the most dangerous money in American politics. The absence of disclosure of this money means there is no way to hold accountable influence-buying billionaires and millionaires and influence-selling officeholders. The DISCLOSE act is the key to lifting this shroud of secrecy.”
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
How Trump Decided to Go to War
“President Trump’s embrace of military action in Iran was spurred by an Israeli leader determined to end diplomatic negotiations. Few of the president’s advisers voiced opposition.” – New York Times
Poll: Majority of voters disapprove of how Trump has handled Iran
“Most independents say the U.S. shouldn’t have taken military action, along with a slice of Republicans, according to a national NBC News poll.” – NBC News
59% of Americans Oppose the Military Action in Iran
“Three high-quality polls taken after the United States and Israel launched their attack on Iran on Saturday show that a majority of Americans are not on board with the military action.” – New York Times
There Are 47,635 Epstein Files Offline for Review, DOJ Says
“Among the unreleased documents are a woman’s unverified allegations against President Trump.” – Wall Street Journal
When Kash Patel is under fire, FBI agents and staff get fired
“An MS NOW analysis finds the FBI director often lashes out after his own bad press — by firing experienced agents and staffers.” – MS Now
Judge’s order makes clear that all companies that paid illegal Trump tariffs get refunds
“The Supreme Court ruling striking down the tariffs left no doubt that they were illegal, but it left the refund process open.” – MS Now
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is out, Trump says, after controversial tenure
“President Donald Trump announced the decision on social media and said Noem would be replaced with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).” – Washington Post
Trump Officials Attended a Summit of Election Deniers Who Want the President to Take Over the Midterms
“The meeting’s participants included Kurt Olsen, a White House lawyer charged with reinvestigating the 2020 election, and Heather Honey, the Department of Homeland Security official in charge of election integrity.” – ProPublica
Maurene Comey, in first public remarks, calls out the Justice Department that fired her
“‘They no longer have a presumption that what is about to come out of their mouth next is true and is honest,’ she said.” – Politico
MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL
House committee subpoenas Pam Bondi to testify on her handling of the Epstein case. Five Republicans joined with all Democrats to compel testimony from the attorney general. – Politico
Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Noem denied that Corey Lewandowski had any role in approving contracts. But internal DHS records and interviews with current and former agency staffers contradict her testimony. – ProPublica
State court had ordered changes to seat of Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. – Roll Call
Exclusive: Bennet pushes back on Polis, urges governor not to ‘capitulate’ to Trump on Peters sentence. – The Hill
Tony Gonzales admits sexual relationship with former staff member who killed herself. The Texas lawmaker, who faces a primary runoff in May to hold his seat, said in a radio interview that he’s not to blame for her death. – Politico
Trump Ally Steve Daines Makes Surprise Exit From Senate Race. – Wall Street Journal
MONEY IN POLITICS, VOTING, ELECTION & OTHER RELATED INFO
Virginia Supreme Court clears way for redistricting referendum. Early voting set to begin Friday on process for a new congressional map – Roll Call
A Political Earthquake Rattles the North Carolina Legislature. Voters across this politically purple state made it clear on Tuesday that they wanted to punish the powerful on both sides of the aisle. It may be a warning to incumbents elsewhere.– New York Times
Democratic nominee James Talarico is getting national media attention, but the real story is sky-high voter turnout, even amid GOP bids to suppress balloting. – The Nation
