ethics

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JD Vance's Birthday Kayak Trip Raises Water Level, Eyebrows

Army Corps says change was necessary for the 'safe navigation' of Secret Service agents

(Newser) - Vice President JD Vance's recent family boating trip has sparked controversy after officials temporarily raised an Ohio river's water level at his team's request, raising questions about the use of public resources for personal benefit, per the Guardian . The Army Corps of Engineers says it temporarily...

Jim Acosta Catches Very Real Flak Over AI Interview

Ex-CNN correspondent faces backlash after chat with AI version of Parkland shooting victim

(Newser) - Former CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta has ignited debate after conducting an interview with an AI-generated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a victim of the 2018 Parkland school shooting. In the video, Acosta speaks to a digital version of Joaquin—animated from a real photo and powered by generative...

Trump's Presidency: Largely Spent at His Own Properties

Forbes tallies 75 days spent at his golf clubs and hotels

(Newser) - President Trump has spent roughly one-third of his presidency visiting his own properties, blending the business of the nation with the business of his brand like no modern president, Forbes reports, breaking down exactly how Trump has spent his time in his second term. Specifically, he visited his own...

Trump Slams Hawley Over Ban on Congressional Stock Trades

Measure would force lawmakers and spouses to ditch individual stocks

(Newser) - A proposal to bar members of Congress from buying or holding individual stocks cleared a Senate panel Wednesday, with Republican Sen. Josh Hawley crossing the aisle to join Democrats in an 8-7 committee vote. Hawley, who introduced the bill, said, "I practice what I preach," noting he...

Key Justice Department Unit Is Losing Lawyers Fast

Reuters says nearly two-thirds in division that defends Trump programs have quit

(Newser) - A Reuters investigation has uncovered a notable stat about Justice Department lawyers: Nearly two-thirds of the department's Federal Programs Branch—the unit tasked with defending key Trump administration policies in court—have left their positions since President Trump's election. Out of about 110 attorneys, 69 have either...

Biggest Trump Coin Investors Are Offered Special Access

Ethics advocates, Democrats rip 'pay-to-play deal'

(Newser) - President Trump's cryptocurrency token soared more than 60% on Wednesday after the announcement that its biggest investors would be invited to dine with the president at one of his clubs and receive a special tour of the White House. "The most EXCLUSIVE INVITATION in the World," as...

Trump Organization to Allow Deals With Foreign Companies

Family business releases ethics pledges for second term

(Newser) - The Trump family business released a voluntary ethics agreement Friday that allows it to strike deals with private foreign companies, a move that could help outside actors try to buy influence with the new administration. The so-called ethics white paper bars the Trump Organization from making deals directly with foreign...

A Trump-Alito Phone Call Generates Controversy

President-elect called the justice about a former clerk hours before filing appeal in hush money case

(Newser) - The timing of a phone call between President-elect Trump and Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is in the news, but the justice says it was a routine matter unrelated to court business. Details:
  • The call: Trump called Alito on Tuesday because one of Alito's former clerks was applying for
...

Senate Report Declares Court Has an 'Ethical Crisis'

Investigation puts worth of Thomas' gifts in the millions

(Newser) - A report released Saturday by Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee after a 20-month investigation declares the Supreme Court "has mired itself in an ethical crisis of its own making." The report lists a series of ethical lapses and failures and estimates the value of gifts accepted by...

That Matt Gaetz Ethics Report Is Coming Out: Report

CNN reports that House Ethics Committee reversed its decision earlier this month

(Newser) - The world of Matt Gaetz continues to turn rather swiftly. Citing "multiple sources with knowledge of the matter," CNN reports that the House Ethics Committee voted earlier this month to release the ethics report on the former Republican representative from Florida, erstwhile attorney general nominee, and soon-to-be talk...

2 Cat Owners: We Really Loathe Our Kitties

Horrified reaction follows after Cut columns detail how 2 cat moms started hating their felines

(Newser) - What happens when the pet you love becomes ... not so lovable anymore? Two columnists writing for the Cut this week explain their cat conundrums, and their essays are inciting the internet's ire.
  • Essay No. 1: Mary Gaitskill kicks things off with an essay titled "Was I Capable of
...

Media Ethics Experts Not Loving Ads From Harris Campaign

Some don't like that promos linking to articles give false impression of news groups supporting Harris

(Newser) - If you're not looking too closely, recent Kamala Harris ads may give the false impression that some leading news organizations are taking sides in the presidential campaign. The advertisements, which have turned up in Google search feeds, include links to legitimate news stories but feature—in words that appear...

Biden: What's Happening With SCOTUS 'Is Not Normal'

Writing for WaPo , president says high court is in 'crisis of ethics,' vows to make reforms

(Newser) - In America, "no one is above the law. Not the president of the United States. Not a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. No one." That's President Biden's assertion in an opinion piece for the Washington Post , where on Monday he vowed to...

Kagan Wants a Crackdown on SCOTUS Ethics

Justice suggests panel of lower-court judges could evaluate complaints

(Newser) - The Supreme Court requires oversight and enforcement of its new ethics code, Justice Elena Kagan argued Thursday, suggesting lower-court judges might serve to police the nation's highest court. The liberal justice said she welcomed the ethics rules, but saw reason to criticize the lack of "enforcement mechanisms attached...

Dem Senators Want Special Counsel for Clarence Thomas

Whitehouse, Wyden ask AG Garland to investigate Thomas' 'suspicious silence' over gifts

(Newser) - After a slew of jarring stories tying Clarence Thomas to multiple undisclosed gifts, loans, and other perks from ultra-wealthy friends, two Democratic senators are now trying to get to the bottom of it. The Hill reports that Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ron Wyden of Oregon have requested...

Another Rioters' Flag Flew at Another Alito House

House Democrat introduces a censure resolution over 'Stop the Steal' symbol

(Newser) - The fallout continues for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito over the flying of a symbolic upside-down flag outside his house, a debate possibly complicated by a report of another flag carried by Jan. 6 rioters having been displayed at Alito's beach house. More:
  • Censure: House Democrat Steve Cohen of
...

Stefanik Files Complaint on Jan. 6 Judge: 'Highly Inappropriate'

GOP congresswoman slams Beryl Howell, who has ruled on Capitol riot, Trump cases

(Newser) - Elise Stefanik filed a complaint Friday against a federal judge who's ruled on cases involving the Jan. 6 riot and former President Donald Trump, alleging the judge engaged in "judicial misconduct," reports the Hill . The GOP congresswoman is now calling for an ethics probe into US District...

After Scathing Ethics Report, Santos Won't Seek Reelection

House ethics panel finds 'substantial evidence' he broke federal laws

(Newser) - George Santos says he won't be running for reelection to Congress in the wake of a devastating House Ethics panel report. Not that he's contrite: In a long post on X , Santos called the report a "disgusting politicized smear," per the Washington Post . Near the end...

Barrett: My Time on the Bench Has Had 'Its Ups and Downs'

Supreme Court justice says it would be a 'good idea' for ethics code to be put in place for high court

(Newser) - As headlines continue to emerge about various Supreme Court justices , talk of implementing an ethics code for the nation's highest court has emerged, including from some of the justices themselves. Now, Justice Amy Coney Barrett is weighing in, and she appears to be a proponent of such oversight. "...

Kavanaugh: SCOTUS Ethics Changes Are on the Way

He predicts 'concrete steps' in the near future

(Newser) - Public confidence in the Supreme Court is at a 50-year-low, but Justice Brett Kavanaugh says change is on the way. When asked about "perceived ethical issues" at a judicial conference Thursday, Kavanaugh said the court is "continuing to work on those issues," as Chief Justice John Robert...

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