A Republican consulting firm, the Strategy Group, with close ties to Kristi Noem and her aides at the Department of Homeland Security, received money from a $220 million DHS ad campaign, with the company’s role kept secret. The Strategy Group’s CEO is married to Noem’s chief spokesperson, creating potential conflicts of interest. The company was involved in filming an ad at Mount Rushmore. Government contracting experts suggest potential ethics violations, and the ad campaign has previously involved the Strategy Group in other controversial contracts.
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During the government shutdown, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced criticism for distributing a taxpayer-funded video blaming Democrats, which some airports declined to air. Public Citizen filed a Hatch Act complaint, alleging the video and other government communications violated ethics laws prohibiting the use of government resources for partisan purposes. Ethics experts believe the administration’s actions demonstrate a disregard for ethical norms, and note that enforcement is difficult as agencies are dominated by Trump loyalists. While the administration claims it is simply sharing the truth, experts believe the administration’s disregard for ethical norms has resulted in personal profit and constitutional issues.
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Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases, and honestly, the whole situation feels like it’s teetering on the edge of absurdity. It’s hard to believe, but reports suggest that Donald Trump is attempting to get the Justice Department to hand over a staggering $230 million. The reactions are understandable; it’s a lot of money, and the mere audacity of the request is, frankly, breathtaking. It immediately raises questions about the integrity of the system and the potential erosion of trust in the government.
The core of the issue, as many are pointing out, is the inherent conflict of interest and the appearance of corruption.… Continue reading
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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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s on-air endorsement of Tesla stock on Fox News, urging viewers to buy due to its “unbelievably cheap” price, has raised significant ethical concerns. This action, along with other White House endorsements of the company, is seen as a departure from traditional government practices and potentially violates federal code prohibiting the use of office for private gain. Ethics experts cite this as an optics issue, questioning the appearance of favoritism towards a company experiencing financial difficulties. The administration’s actions contrast sharply with historical norms of government neutrality in promoting specific businesses.
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Justice Thomas Did Not Disclose Additional Trips, Democrats Say
Justice Thomas’s failure to disclose additional trips has sparked outrage among Democrats. The lack of transparency surrounding these undisclosed trips raises serious questions about his adherence to ethical standards expected of a Supreme Court Justice. This situation highlights a broader concern regarding accountability for high-ranking officials.
The sheer volume of undisclosed travel raises questions about the extent of his unreported activities. It suggests a pattern of behavior that goes beyond simple oversight and raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest. This lack of transparency erodes public trust in the integrity of the Supreme Court.… Continue reading
Senator Elizabeth Warren’s letter to the GSA administrator highlights the Trump transition team’s unprecedented refusal to sign standard memoranda of understanding with the Biden-Harris administration, hindering the incoming administration’s ability to govern effectively. This refusal also prevents the publication of a comprehensive ethics code addressing Trump’s conflicts of interest, increasing the risk of special interest influence. Furthermore, the lack of an agreement allows the Trump team to avoid disclosing transition donors, potentially circumventing individual donation limits and raising ethical concerns about transparency and potential quid pro quo arrangements. Warren’s letter demands answers from the GSA regarding the team’s non-compliance.
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Donald Trump’s 2025 transition team is defying ethics laws and norms by accepting undisclosed donations, bypassing mandated ethics pledges and plans, and refusing FBI background checks on nominees. This disregard for established procedures has prompted criticism, with concerns raised about foreign influence and conflicts of interest. The team’s actions undermine the purpose of presidential transition laws and raise serious questions regarding transparency and accountability. Furthermore, the lack of thorough vetting of nominees, including those facing serious allegations of misconduct, exacerbates these concerns.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood