Noah Bookbinder
@noahbookbinder.bsky.social
President of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (@citizensforethics.org). Former federal corruption prosecutor. Fighting for an ethical democracy.
Pinned
Spending transparency data posted by Trump budget office after court order
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that the apportionment information must be “promptly made public.”
www.govexec.com
The Trump administration took down a website required by law that showed whether or not it was spending money as required by Congress. @citizensforethics.org and others sued and won in multiple courts. Now the website is back, so the American people can see what money its government is spending.
The Constitution is very clear that a president can't serve a third term. Let's stop pretending that this is open to debate or interpretation, or accepting that the current president can just make up his own rules about everything.
Third Trump Term Raised by DOJ, Opposing Lawyer at Argument (1)
Lawyers arguing Monday in front of a Sixth Circuit panel—including one Justice Department attorney—made apparent references to President Donald Trump serving a third term, after the president said tha...
news.bloomberglaw.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The Constitution is very clear that a president can't serve a third term. Let's stop pretending that this is open to debate or interpretation, or accepting that the current president can just make up his own rules about everything.
Donald Trump's pardon of the founder of Binance, which has invested hugely in Trump's own crypto company, from which Trump personally profits, is a breathtaking example of the kind of everyday corruption that characterizes this administration.
Trump pardons convicted Binance founder Changpeng Zhao
The pardon of the former Binance CEO came nearly a week after President Trump commuted the 87-month prison sentence of former New York Rep. George Santos.
www.cnbc.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Donald Trump's pardon of the founder of Binance, which has invested hugely in Trump's own crypto company, from which Trump personally profits, is a breathtaking example of the kind of everyday corruption that characterizes this administration.
NEW: Donald Trump has taken steps to dismantle our democracy at such a dizzying pace that it's easy to lose track of them. Over time, outrageous and dangerous actions are forgotten and normalized. So @citizensforethics.org is now keeping a timeline of many of the most significant of these steps.
How President Trump is dismantling our democracy, one piece at a time - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
CREW is tracking anti-democratic ethics, transparency and accountability actions that Trump has taken in his second term.
www.citizensforethics.org
October 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
NEW: Donald Trump has taken steps to dismantle our democracy at such a dizzying pace that it's easy to lose track of them. Over time, outrageous and dangerous actions are forgotten and normalized. So @citizensforethics.org is now keeping a timeline of many of the most significant of these steps.
Reposted by Noah Bookbinder
Shoutout to @merkley.senate.gov for calling out President Trump's escalating corruption and efforts to undermine our system of checks and balances 💯
TUNE IN: I’m STILL on the Senate floor exposing Trump’s attempts to trample on the Constitution.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymDt...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymDt...
Merkley STILL Holding the Senate Floor to Protest Trump’s Threats to Democracy
YouTube video by Senator Jeff Merkley
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Shoutout to @merkley.senate.gov for calling out President Trump's escalating corruption and efforts to undermine our system of checks and balances 💯
NEW: Inspectors general are important watchdogs within the government who look for waste, fraud and abuse. Donald Trump has fired many of them and sought to politicize these offices and threaten their independence. Moving them to the legislative branch would be one way to protect them.
Should Inspectors General be Moved to the Legislative Branch?
Almost immediately upon taking office for his second term, President Donald Trump unlawfully fired 17 inspectors general (IGs), and over the course of this year has taken actions to demote and replace...
www.justsecurity.org
October 22, 2025 at 5:20 PM
NEW: Inspectors general are important watchdogs within the government who look for waste, fraud and abuse. Donald Trump has fired many of them and sought to politicize these offices and threaten their independence. Moving them to the legislative branch would be one way to protect them.
The firing of two experienced senior federal prosecutors in Virginia who reportedly resisted the prosecution of New York AG Letitia James is more evidence of how dangerously politicized this is. President Trump demanded the prosecution, career prosecutors said it wasn't supported, and were fired.
Trump admin. fires 2 prosecutors who opposed charges against N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James, source says
The Trump administration fired Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin Bird and Elizabeth Yusi Friday, according to a source familiar with the matter.
www.cbsnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The firing of two experienced senior federal prosecutors in Virginia who reportedly resisted the prosecution of New York AG Letitia James is more evidence of how dangerously politicized this is. President Trump demanded the prosecution, career prosecutors said it wasn't supported, and were fired.
We've now had the same thing happen twice in the past few weeks. With New York Attorney General James, as with former FBI Director Comey, Donald Trump publicly demanded prosecution of a perceived enemy and made it happen over the objections of career prosecutors, which is beyond dangerous. 🧵
October 9, 2025 at 9:57 PM
We've now had the same thing happen twice in the past few weeks. With New York Attorney General James, as with former FBI Director Comey, Donald Trump publicly demanded prosecution of a perceived enemy and made it happen over the objections of career prosecutors, which is beyond dangerous. 🧵
For supporters of the current administration to get bent out of shape about purportedly politicized investigations right after the current president literally demanded the prosecution of a perceived opponent, pushed out prosecutors who wouldn't do it, and put in a loyalist who did -- is a bit rich.
October 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
For supporters of the current administration to get bent out of shape about purportedly politicized investigations right after the current president literally demanded the prosecution of a perceived opponent, pushed out prosecutors who wouldn't do it, and put in a loyalist who did -- is a bit rich.
The President fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics when he didn't like the job data it released and then put forward a highly partisan nominee for that role who had said incendiary things. The withdrawal of that nomination is rare good news in bleak times; facts still matter.
White House withdraws E.J. Antoni's nomination to lead BLS
Trump tapped the Heritage Foundation economist after firing the agency's previous commissioner in August.
www.politico.com
October 3, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The President fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics when he didn't like the job data it released and then put forward a highly partisan nominee for that role who had said incendiary things. The withdrawal of that nomination is rare good news in bleak times; facts still matter.
Let's not forget that the DOJ both reportedly dropped an investigation of the White House border czar, and brought charges against former FBI Director Jim Comey over the recommendation of career prosecutors after Donald Trump demanded it. This is politicized justice, and it is dangerous.
October 3, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Let's not forget that the DOJ both reportedly dropped an investigation of the White House border czar, and brought charges against former FBI Director Jim Comey over the recommendation of career prosecutors after Donald Trump demanded it. This is politicized justice, and it is dangerous.
It may not seem important given everything else going on, but the administration undercutting and defunding the offices that are tasked with finding waste, fraud, and abuse in government is one more piece of their effort to eliminate any checks on their power to do whatever they want.
Trump administration moves to defund inspector general watchdog group
The decision marks the latest example of the administration’s push to limit government oversight activities.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It may not seem important given everything else going on, but the administration undercutting and defunding the offices that are tasked with finding waste, fraud, and abuse in government is one more piece of their effort to eliminate any checks on their power to do whatever they want.
It is hard to overstate how dangerous for democracy the indictment of former FBI Director Comey is. The President of the United States specifically called for prosecution of perceived political opponents, including Comey, calling them guilty before trial or even indictment. 🧵
September 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
It is hard to overstate how dangerous for democracy the indictment of former FBI Director Comey is. The President of the United States specifically called for prosecution of perceived political opponents, including Comey, calling them guilty before trial or even indictment. 🧵
Political violence is never acceptable, period.
September 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Political violence is never acceptable, period.
When Donald Trump was running for president, he promised oil executives that if they gave massively to his campaign, his policies and changes to regulations would make it worth their while. That is exactly what has happened. It is corrupt influence of moneyed interests to the extreme.
Oil Tycoons Bet Big on Trump. It’s Paying Off.
The Trump administration has opened land to drilling and is moving to roll back environmental restrictions and hobble renewable energy. But crude prices have dropped.
www.wsj.com
September 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
When Donald Trump was running for president, he promised oil executives that if they gave massively to his campaign, his policies and changes to regulations would make it worth their while. That is exactly what has happened. It is corrupt influence of moneyed interests to the extreme.
72 career officials with nearly 450 years of service have resigned in protest rather than compromise their oaths. When public servants of this caliber are driven out, it's an alarming signal that our democracy is under extraordinary strain.
Public servants with nearly 450 years of experience have resigned in protest - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
In Trump's second term, about 70 government officials with nearly 450 years of experience have resigned in protest.
www.citizensforethics.org
September 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
72 career officials with nearly 450 years of service have resigned in protest rather than compromise their oaths. When public servants of this caliber are driven out, it's an alarming signal that our democracy is under extraordinary strain.
The introduction of bipartisan compromise legislation is a huge step forward in the fight to ban congressional stock trading. For years, we've fought for meaningful reforms to ensure that public servants are working in the best interest of the public—not their stock portfolios. Let's get this done.
CREW statement on bipartisan stock ban bill - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
The introduction of the Restore Trust in Congress Act is a huge step forward in the fight to ban congressional stock trading.
www.citizensforethics.org
September 3, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The introduction of bipartisan compromise legislation is a huge step forward in the fight to ban congressional stock trading. For years, we've fought for meaningful reforms to ensure that public servants are working in the best interest of the public—not their stock portfolios. Let's get this done.
While legal, a member of Congress owning Bitcoin and promoting a bill that could raise the value of Bitcoin raises all sorts of red flags. We want members to be making decisions that are in the best interest of the country, not in their personal financial interest.
Rep. Nick Begich did well with Bitcoin. He wants the government to own some, too.
Begich spent $100 on Bitcoin in 2013. It's worth about $760,000 now. A bill he sponsored would make the government a big buyer of the cryptocurrency and create a "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve."
www.kyuk.org
August 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
While legal, a member of Congress owning Bitcoin and promoting a bill that could raise the value of Bitcoin raises all sorts of red flags. We want members to be making decisions that are in the best interest of the country, not in their personal financial interest.
Political committees have spent $931,129 at Trump properties since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, according to a new analysis by @citizensforethics.org of FEC filings. This is one more stunning example of how Trump is profiting from his office.
Political spending tops $900K at Trump properties since inauguration - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Political committees have spent $931,129 at Trump properties since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
www.citizensforethics.org
August 27, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Political committees have spent $931,129 at Trump properties since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, according to a new analysis by @citizensforethics.org of FEC filings. This is one more stunning example of how Trump is profiting from his office.
NEW: Donald Trump has profited from the presidency to the tune of billions. This is unlike anything the country has seen before, and it affects all Americans because it means our president may be acting for himself, not us. We cannot let it become the new normal. I explain why in @msnbc.com.
Opinion | The brazenness of Trump’s profiteering is a billion-dollar scandal
After leaving office in 2001, Bill Clinton signed a “record book deal” for $10 million. The amount of money Trump has made has no historical equivalent.
www.msnbc.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
NEW: Donald Trump has profited from the presidency to the tune of billions. This is unlike anything the country has seen before, and it affects all Americans because it means our president may be acting for himself, not us. We cannot let it become the new normal. I explain why in @msnbc.com.
Note that the judge who just threw out in very strong terms Donald Trump's lawsuit against all the Maryland federal judges, noting that it was unprecedented and would offend the rule of law, was appointed by Donald Trump.
Court tosses lawsuit by Trump against Maryland federal judges, calling it 'potentially calamitous'
A federal judge has dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit against Maryland’s entire federal bench, slamming it as “potentially calamitous.” U.S.
apnews.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Note that the judge who just threw out in very strong terms Donald Trump's lawsuit against all the Maryland federal judges, noting that it was unprecedented and would offend the rule of law, was appointed by Donald Trump.
We should not let Donald Trump's unprecedented business conflicts of interest and authoritarian actions distract us from the regular, everyday corruption that is also happening--in this case, administration officials already leaving to cash in on their government work as lobbyists.
Seven months in, Trump’s revolving door reaching full swing
White House staffers are already leaving the administration to cash in on their time there.
www.politico.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:13 PM
We should not let Donald Trump's unprecedented business conflicts of interest and authoritarian actions distract us from the regular, everyday corruption that is also happening--in this case, administration officials already leaving to cash in on their government work as lobbyists.
Donald Trump has bought up tens of millions of dollars in debt from corporations whose value is directly affected by his policies. Just because he does it all the time does not mean we can be okay with the risk of him making key decisions in the interest of his own enrichment, not the country.
Trump bought $100 million in bonds from companies like T-Mobile and Meta this year
Presidents aren’t required to divest potentially conflicted assets, but most except for Trump have anyway
www.independent.co.uk
August 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Donald Trump has bought up tens of millions of dollars in debt from corporations whose value is directly affected by his policies. Just because he does it all the time does not mean we can be okay with the risk of him making key decisions in the interest of his own enrichment, not the country.
The courts have been one of the few effective checks on Donald Trump's extreme assertions of power. So Trump has effectively declared war on courts, most recently with a bogus ethics complaint against one of his top judicial targets. @greggnunziata.bsky.social and I explain why this is so dangerous.
The endgame of Trump’s war on the judiciary - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Trump is engaged in a sustained, and deeply dangerous, effort to threaten and delegitimize our federal judges.
www.citizensforethics.org
August 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The courts have been one of the few effective checks on Donald Trump's extreme assertions of power. So Trump has effectively declared war on courts, most recently with a bogus ethics complaint against one of his top judicial targets. @greggnunziata.bsky.social and I explain why this is so dangerous.
Reposted by Noah Bookbinder
NEW: Courts have fulfilled their constitutional responsibility by refusing to bless Trump's blatantly unconstitutional executive orders.
So Trump has declared war on the courts, rather than simply filing appeals. Read @greggnunziata.bsky.social and @noahbookbinder.bsky.social:
So Trump has declared war on the courts, rather than simply filing appeals. Read @greggnunziata.bsky.social and @noahbookbinder.bsky.social:
The endgame of Trump’s war on the judiciary - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Trump is engaged in a sustained, and deeply dangerous, effort to threaten and delegitimize our federal judges.
www.citizensforethics.org
August 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
NEW: Courts have fulfilled their constitutional responsibility by refusing to bless Trump's blatantly unconstitutional executive orders.
So Trump has declared war on the courts, rather than simply filing appeals. Read @greggnunziata.bsky.social and @noahbookbinder.bsky.social:
So Trump has declared war on the courts, rather than simply filing appeals. Read @greggnunziata.bsky.social and @noahbookbinder.bsky.social:
A court recently greenlit Donald Trump's cuts of billions of dollars of USAID funding, even though Congress had approved the funding. Undermining constitutional checks is dangerous, and it's a part of the administration's full-on power grab.
Appeals Court Gives Trump Admin Green Light to Proceed With Foreign Aid Cuts
Wednesday’s ruling determined that only the head of the Government Accountability Office has the authority to sue under the Impoundment Control Act.
www.notus.org
August 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
A court recently greenlit Donald Trump's cuts of billions of dollars of USAID funding, even though Congress had approved the funding. Undermining constitutional checks is dangerous, and it's a part of the administration's full-on power grab.