The Watchdogs Are Barking Themselves Hoarse
The scandals of the president’s first term now seem quaint.
TL;DR
- Ethics watchdog groups are alarmed by the blatant nature of alleged corruption and self-dealing in the president's second term, finding it harder to maintain public and media attention.
- Despite increased vigilance and efforts by organizations like Public Citizen and CREW, the "exhaustion factor" is a challenge in keeping track of "corrupt transactions."
- While public concern about corruption as a national issue has increased, objections to potential instances of self-dealing have decreased, particularly among Republicans.
- The administration has dismantled oversight mechanisms, and the president has seen a significant increase in income from cryptocurrency deals, foreign investments, and legal settlements.
- The White House denies allegations of corruption, stating the president's assets are managed independently and he has no conflicts of interest.