A new report reveals that while Kristi Noem served as the governor of South Dakota, she received $80,000 from an anonymous donor through a “dark money” group, significantly supplementing her government salary. Despite becoming the head of the Department of Homeland Security, Noem failed to disclose this payment in her financial disclosure reports, potentially violating federal ethics requirements. The funds were transferred to her personal company, Ashwood Strategies, which the donor, American Resolve, described as a payment for fundraising. Noem’s lawyer claimed she complied with the law, but did not address whether the Office of Government Ethics was specifically aware of the payment.
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Kristi Noem, while governor of South Dakota, received $80,000 through her personal company, Ashwood Strategies, from a dark money group called American Resolve Policy Fund. This payment, described as a fundraising fee, was not included on her federal disclosure forms, which experts suggest is a possible ethics violation. The nonprofit, which doesn’t disclose its donors, paid Ashwood Strategies for raising funds, a highly unusual arrangement according to experts. Noem’s lawyer stated she complied with the law but didn’t respond to whether the ethics office was aware of the payment. This arrangement may have also run afoul of South Dakota law, according to some experts.
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Weeks before Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election, deceptive ads and texts, seemingly supporting Democratic candidate Susan Crawford, are targeting voters. These are funded by Building America’s Future, a conservative group with Elon Musk as a major donor, despite appearing to originate from a group called Progress 2028. The ads highlight Crawford’s progressive stances on issues like abortion and immigration, potentially alienating moderate voters. This is part of a broader pattern of Musk’s substantial financial backing of Republican political interests, including over $3 million spent to benefit Crawford’s opponent.
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Congresswoman Jayapal, along with over two dozen Democratic colleagues, introduced a constitutional amendment aiming to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. This “We the People Amendment” seeks to revoke corporate constitutional rights and curtail the influence of massive political spending, exemplified by Elon Musk’s significant contributions to the Trump campaign. The amendment would mandate transparency in political contributions and expenditures at all governmental levels. Supporters argue this is a necessary systemic solution to counter the escalating power of corporations and the corrupting influence of dark money in politics.
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A Republican-linked political action committee (PAC) is employing a divisive tactic by targeting Arab American and Jewish American voters in key swing states with contradictory messages about Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on Israel. This PAC, known as FC PAC, has been funded by a dark money group with ties to former President Trump, and aims to stoke divisions and discourage voters from supporting a particular candidate. The advertisements, often mimicking the style of campaign materials, present Harris as both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine depending on the target audience. Experts warn that this manipulative strategy, while alarming, may be effective due to widespread frustration among Arab Americans over Democratic support for Israel, particularly in light of recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
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US Rep. Lauren Boebert recently made headlines after being granted a restraining order against her ex-husband. The news has sparked a flurry of opinions and comments, both in support and against Boebert. However, it is important to approach this situation with empathy and understanding, while also addressing the underlying issues at hand.
It is worth mentioning that Boebert had previously worked in the oil and gas industry, which raises questions about the ethics and integrity of her financial decisions. This, coupled with allegations of shady dark money jobs and Russian funding, further complicates the narrative surrounding her.
However, it is crucial to remember that the issue at hand is the granting of a restraining order against her ex-husband.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker