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Trait: Administrative agencies are deregulated or captured by private interests ×
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Tier 1 carried by a primary record
Corroborated 2+ independent news desks
Every result is verified and democracy-related.
Open an event to see its evidence. Attack and trait tags link to their definitions
Feb 23, 2026 The CFTC supported Crypto.com in litigation shortly after a large pro-Trump political donation Corroborated Economic Structure
The intervention raised concerns that regulatory power was being used in ways that tracked donor access rather than neutral enforcement.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration's CFTC Supports Crypto.com in Lawsuit — The Trump administration's Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) intervened in a lawsuit on behalf of Crypto.com, supporting its appeal against the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 58 – 2026-02-21–2026-02-27
wk58_ES_009
Feb 13, 2026 The Department of Justice forced out the head of its antitrust division after disputes over merger scrutiny Corroborated Economic Structure
Removing a top antitrust official signaled weaker resistance to concentration and suggested political pressure on market oversight.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DOJ Antitrust Division head Abigail Slater forced out — Abigail Slater, head of the Department of Justice Antitrust Division, has been forced out following tensions with senior administration figures over her efforts to scrutinize and potentially block major corporate
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 56 – 2026-02-07–2026-02-13
wk56_ES_010
Dec 17, 2025 The White House and FCC removed or disclaimed language describing the FCC as independent Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The change reshaped public understanding of a regulator’s status and signaled tighter executive control over communications governance.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FCC Chair Declares Lack of Independence — FCC Chair Brendan Carr testified before the Senate, stating that the FCC is not an independent agency but is under the control of the Trump administration.
- FCC Removes "Independent" Language from Website — The FCC removed language from its website describing the agency as "independent" after its chair testified that the FCC is not formally independent.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 48 – 2025-12-13–2025-12-19
wk48_IM_010
Dec 11, 2025 President Trump issued an executive order establishing a national AI policy framework that challenged state AI laws Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The order centralized AI policy in the executive branch and threatened state autonomy by tying federal power to compliance with a national standard.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Executive Order on National AI Policy Framework — On December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to establish a national policy framework for artificial intelligence (AI).
- Trump Plans Executive Order to Preempt State AI Laws — President Trump announced plans to sign an executive order preempting state AI regulations, citing the need for a unified national framework.
- Trump signs executive order to prevent state regulation of AI — On December 11, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI).
Traits
Administrative agencies are deregulated or captured by private interestsCrony capitalism becomes indistinguishable from governanceExecutive power operates without effective oversightFederal power is weaponized against disfavored states or localitiesPolicy outcomes are driven by elite lobbying and financial contributionsWealth buys not only speech, but law
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 47 – 2025-12-06–2025-12-12
wk47_PA_011
Dec 4, 2025 The Pentagon and Commerce Department awarded major financing to a startup backed by Donald Trump Jr. Corroborated Economic Structure
The deal raised concerns that politically connected firms were receiving state-backed economic advantages through defense and industrial policy.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Pentagon awards $620 million loan to Trump Jr.-backed startup — The Pentagon has awarded a $620 million loan to Vulcan Elements, a startup producing rare-earth magnets for military applications.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 46 – 2025-11-29–2025-12-05
wk46_ES_040
Nov 11, 2025 The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion that the CFPB could not draw more money from the Federal Reserve Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The opinion used legal interpretation inside the executive branch to weaken an independent watchdog's ability to keep operating.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Justice Department issues opinion on CFPB funding — The Justice Department's office of legal counsel has issued an opinion stating that the CFPB cannot currently draw money from the Federal Reserve.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 43 – 2025-11-08–2025-11-14
wk43_IG_019
Nov 10, 2025 The Trump administration declared that the CFPB could not seek additional Federal Reserve funding Corroborated Economic Structure
The move threatened the survival of a consumer watchdog and shifted the balance of economic power toward firms facing less federal oversight.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Declares CFPB Funding Prohibited — The Trump administration formally stated that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is legally prohibited from seeking additional funding from the Federal Reserve.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 43 – 2025-11-08–2025-11-14
wk43_ES_006
Jul 26, 2025 DOGE staff used an AI tool to identify federal regulations for elimination Tier 1 · Primary Economic Structure
The effort aimed to rapidly shrink regulatory protections through automated review, reducing deliberation and public accountability in rulemaking.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Doge Proposes AI Tool to Cut Federal Regulations — The "department of government efficiency" (Doge) is reportedly using an AI tool to create a "delete list" of federal regulations, aiming to cut 50% of them by January, the first anniversary of Donald Trump's second
- AI used to eliminate government regulations — Staff associated with the "Department of Government Efficiency" are utilizing artificial intelligence to aim for the elimination of half of the government's regulations by January.
- AI Tool Used to Deregulate Federal Regulations — The Washington Post reported that the Department of Government Efficiency is using an AI tool to eliminate half of the approximately 200,000 federal regulations.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 28 – 2025-07-26–2025-08-01
wk28_ES_001
May 1, 2025 The Trump administration froze or redirected public spending through DOGE expansion, FEMA review, and payment-system changes Corroborated Economic Structure
These steps increased executive influence over contracts, grants, and disbursements that structure public economic life.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Expands Elon Musk's 'Department of Government Efficiency' — On February 26, 2025, President Trump signed an order expanding the power of Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency," calling for a transformation in federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans with a
- Trump Modernizes Payment System at US Treasury — On March 25, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to modernize the payment system at the US Treasury.
- Trump Orders Review of FEMA — On January 27, 2025, President Trump ordered a review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), suggesting political bias in the agency's disaster response.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 15 – 2025-04-26–2025-05-02
wk15_ES_017
Apr 29, 2025 The Trump administration restructured the Peace Corps after a DOGE review and offered staff deferred resignations Corroborated Power and Authority
The move extended executive control over an independent service agency and reduced its internal capacity through politically driven restructuring.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Peace Corps to Undergo Significant Cuts After Doge Review — The Peace Corps is set to undergo significant restructuring following an assessment by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Elon Musk.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 15 – 2025-04-26–2025-05-02
wk15_PA_012
Apr 24, 2025 The Interior Department said it would fast-track fossil fuel, mining, and offshore critical mineral permits. Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The move compressed review timelines and shifted major public-resource decisions toward executive speed and away from slower oversight processes.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US Interior Department to Fast Track Fossil Fuel and Mining Permits — The US Interior Department announced plans to expedite the permitting process for fossil fuel and mining projects, reducing the timeline from multiple years to a maximum of 28 days.
- Executive Order on Offshore Critical Minerals — On April 24, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources." The order aims to enhance U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 14 – 2025-04-19–2025-04-25
wk14_PA_025
Mar 18, 2025 Democratic lawmakers called for investigations into Elon Musk's role in federal contracting and White House technology decisions Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The requests showed Congress and allied officials trying to use oversight tools against possible conflicts of interest in executive operations.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Democrats demand investigation into Musk's potential corruption — Leading Democrats have called for an investigation into potential corruption involving Elon Musk, particularly concerning the Federal Aviation Administration's decision to cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 9 – 2025-03-15–2025-03-21
wk09_IG_015
Mar 18, 2025 The White House installed Starlink service across the White House campus Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The installation raised conflict-of-interest and security concerns by giving a politically connected private company unusual access to core executive operations.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Starlink Internet Service Installed in White House — Elon Musk's Starlink internet service has been installed at the White House, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Musk's close ties with the Trump administration.
- Installation of Starlink at the White House — Reports indicate that Starlink, a satellite internet service provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has been installed across the White House campus.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 9 – 2025-03-15–2025-03-21
wk09_PA_010
Mar 8, 2025 President Trump signed an executive order to establish a U.S. Crypto Reserve Corroborated Economic Structure
The order committed public policy to a favored financial sector and raised concerns about regulatory capture and use of state resources for private market interests.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump signs executive order to establish US Crypto Reserve — On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish a "US Crypto Reserve," using taxpayer money to support the cryptocurrency industry.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 8 – 2025-03-08–2025-03-14
wk08_ES_001
Mar 2, 2025 The Trump administration announced a strategic cryptocurrency stockpile and reserve Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The plan proposed using federal authority to shape digital-asset markets, raising accountability concerns where public policy could benefit private holders.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Zeteo · Noahpinion · CNN · Popular Information · Ballotpedia
Supporting reports
- Trump administration creates a "crypto reserve" — On Truth Social, President Trump announced the creation of a "crypto reserve," which has been criticized as "brazen corruption" by commentators.
- Trump announces creation of a strategic crypto reserve — Former President Donald Trump announced his intention to establish a strategic crypto reserve for the U.S.
- Trump Announces Strategic Cryptocurrency Stockpile — Former President Trump announced plans for the U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 7 – 2025-03-01–2025-03-07
wk07_PA_015
Feb 9, 2025 President Trump signed an executive order pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
Pausing anti-bribery enforcement weakened a legal check on corporate misconduct and signaled selective use of federal law.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump signed executive order pausing FCPA enforcement — Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice to pause enforcement of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits bribery of foreign officials by American companies.
- Executive Order Pausing FCPA Enforcement — On February 10, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for 180 days.
- Trump signs executive order pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement — President Trump signed an executive order pausing the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits bribery of foreign officials by U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 4 – 2025-02-08–2025-02-14
wk04_PA_005
Feb 8, 2025 Russell Vought and DOGE moved to starve the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of funding and eliminate it Corroborated Economic Structure
The move threatened a congressionally created consumer watchdog and shifted power toward financial firms over households.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Seeks to Eliminate Consumer Financial Protection Act — Trump Budget Director Russ Vought announced plans to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Act by starving the agency of funding.
- DOGE Attempts to Eliminate Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — DOGE is attempting to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency responsible for protecting consumers from financial scams.
- DOGE targets the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for elimination — DOGE has announced plans to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency designed to protect consumers from financial scams.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 4 – 2025-02-08–2025-02-14
wk04_ES_005
Feb 2, 2025 Elon Musk's team entered or sought access to multiple federal agencies and systems Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The spread of DOGE access across agencies blurred lines between public authority and private influence over state operations.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Musk seeks access to USAID's sensitive systems — Reports indicated that Elon Musk was seeking access to USAID's personnel files and security systems, including classified information.
- Musk's Team Accesses Small Business Administration Systems — Musk's team has gained access to the Small Business Administration's human resources, contracts, and payment systems.
- Musk's Team Breaches Department of Education Data Systems — Musk's team has accessed sensitive internal data systems of the Department of Education, including personal information of millions of students involved in federal student aid programs.
Attacks
Traits
Administrative agencies are deregulated or captured by private interestsChaos is used as a strategy to fragment focus and disable accountabilityCivil service roles are politicized or privatizedCrony capitalism becomes indistinguishable from governanceData and algorithms are used to manipulate, not serve, the publicState power is outsourced to unaccountable private contractorsTransparency laws are weakened or unenforced
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 3 – 2025-02-01–2025-02-07
wk03_PA_023
Jan 31, 2025 President Trump issued a deregulation order requiring repeal of ten rules for each new rule Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The order centralized regulatory policy in the White House and constrained agencies’ ability to issue new protections.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Executive Order: Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation — On January 31, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation." The order mandates that for every new federal regulation introduced, at least ten existing
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 2 – 2025-01-25–2025-01-31
wk02_PA_046
Jan 20, 2025 President Trump signed orders and took actions favoring fossil fuel production and weakening clean energy policy Tier 1 · Primary Economic Structure
The actions shifted federal economic policy toward incumbent energy interests and away from climate-oriented regulation, showing how executive choices can redirect major markets.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Executive Order: Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at maximizing the development of Alaska's natural resources.
- Executive Order: Unleashing American Energy — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Unleashing American Energy." The order aims to promote energy exploration and production on federal lands and waters, establish the U.S.
- Trump revokes Biden's electric vehicle target order — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order revoking a 2021 order by President Joe Biden that aimed to make 50% of all new vehicles sold by 2030 electric.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 1 – 2025-01-20–2025-01-24
wk01_ES_002