The blank-check boom shows no signs of slowing, but there are reasons to be wary.
Tag Archives: Lobbying and Lobbyists
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Appoints First Woman C.E.O.
Suzanne Clark will become the first woman to lead the century-old group when the change takes effect on March 11.
How Alan Dershowitz Became a Force in Clemency Grants
The lawyer Alan M. Dershowitz, who represented the former president in his first impeachment trial, used his access for a wide array of clients as they sought pardons or commutations.
The Road to Clemency From Trump Was Closed to Most Who Sought It
Of the nearly 240 pardons and commutations he granted during his term, only 25 came through the regular Justice Department process. The rest were a product of connections, influence and money.
Trump Administration Quietly Eased Sanctions on Israeli Billionaire
The reversal by the Treasury Department during the administration’s final days came after an appeal by lobbyists with close ties to the former president.
Trump Prepares Pardon Wave for Final Hours
Among those under consideration for grants of clemency are the former New York Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver and the rapper Lil Wayne.
Prospect of Pardons in Final Days Fuels Market to Buy Access to Trump
The president’s allies have collected tens of thousands of dollars — and potentially much more — from people seeking pardons.
IBM Doesn’t Donate to Politicians. Other Firms Should Take Note.
As companies put their donations to candidates on hold, they should reassess political giving entirely, making the halt permanent.
AT&T, JPMorgan and Coca-Cola Pull Back Political Giving Following Capitol Riots
AT&T and Marriott were among companies that will stop campaign contributions to lawmakers who objected to certifying the election. Other companies, such as JPMorgan, paused all political donations.
With Trump Presidency Winding Down, Push for Assange Pardon Ramps Up
Supporters of the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange have enlisted a lobbyist with connections to the president and filed a clemency petition with the White House.
U.S. Companies to Face China Tariffs as Exclusions Expire
Many American companies could see their exemptions from President Trump’s China tariffs expire at midnight on Thursday.
Behind Trump Clemency, a Case Study in Special Access
Philip Esformes was sentenced last year to 20 years for Medicare fraud. Then a well-connected organization supported by his family weighed in with the White House.
Who Gets the Vaccine Next?
Companies, unions and trade groups are making pitches that their workers should be prioritized.
Who Gets the Vaccine First? Furious Lobbying by Interest Groups
Companies, unions and industry trade associations are lobbying governments to include their workers in the next round of virus vaccines.
Biden’s Inaugural Will Be Mostly Virtual, but Money From Donors Will Be Real
The president-elect’s allies have begun an ambitious fund-raising campaign for the celebration of his swearing-in. Big donors will get “virtual signed photos” — and a chance to generate good will.
Tech Companies Shift Their Posture on a Legal Shield, Wary of Being Left Behind
Some of the industry’s critics are skeptical, however, about a new flexibility to changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Big Tech Turns Its Lobbyists Loose on Europe, Alarming Regulators
Silicon Valley is building a powerful influence industry in Brussels, which has “never seen this kind of money” spent this way.
Paul Sarbanes, Former Maryland Senator, Dies at 87
Early in his career, Mr. Sarbanes introduced the first article of impeachment against Richard Nixon. Decades later, he wrote legislation in response to fraud scandals involving Enron and other companies.
Nike and Coca-Cola Lobby Against Xinjiang Forced Labor Bill
Business groups and major companies like Apple have been pressing Congress to alter legislation cracking down on imports of goods made with forced labor from persecuted Muslim minorities in China.
White House Weighs Pardon Blitz Before Trump’s Exit
Political allies and associates are starting to press for clemency as the president also considers extending his criminal justice overhaul by commuting lengthy sentences for other offenders.
Business and World Leaders Move On as Trump Fights to Reverse Election
President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. is seizing the moment, not to aggressively confront the president he defeated, but to act presidential in his stead.
Corporations and Foreign Nations Pivot to Lobby Biden
Lobbyists and consultants are highlighting their ties to the incoming president, which have become lucrative.
Progressives Press Biden to Limit Corporate Influence in Administration
As the president-elect begins making personnel choices, the left of the Democratic Party is demanding ethics rules that would ban lobbyists and some consultants.
Turkish Bank Case Showed Erdogan’s Influence With Trump
New details of the Justice Department’s handling of the accusations against Halkbank reveal how Turkey’s leader pressured the president, prompting concern from top White House aides.
To Recognize Misinformation in Media, Teach a Generation While It’s Young
There is no silver bullet to slay internet lies and fictions. But students can be taught to know when information is reliable.
Big Tech’s Professional Opponents Strike at Google
An unlikely collection of lawyers, activists, economists and academics is fueling the tech backlash, armed with funding from billionaire sponsors.
Elliott Broidy Pleads Guilty in Foreign Lobbying Case
A former fund-raiser for President Trump admitted to a role in a covert campaign to influence the administration on behalf of Chinese and Malaysian interests.
7 Key Findings About Trump’s Reinvented Swamp
The president built a system of favor-seeking at his hotels and resorts that is unrivaled in modern American politics.
Elliott Broidy, a Top Trump Fund-Raiser, Charged in Foreign Influence Case
Federal authorities accused him of violating lobbying laws in his unsuccessful efforts to resolve an investigation into the embezzlement of the Malaysian investment fund 1MDB.
Trump Fund-Raiser Elliott Broidy Charged in Lobbying Case
Federal authorities accused him of violating lobbying laws in his unsuccessful efforts to resolve an investigation into the embezzlement of the Malaysian investment fund 1MDB.
Trump’s Taxes: 18 Revelations from a Trove of Records
Times reporters have obtained decades of tax information the president has hidden from public view. Here are some of the key findings.
Emails Show How Pesticide Industry Influenced U.S. Position in Health Talks
The U.S. insisted that new international guidelines on combating drug resistance omit any mention of fungicides — a demand that the industry made but that ran counter to science.
I Study Corporate Welfare. Even I Was Shocked by This Cronyism.
A privately owned entity created by the Export-Import Bank allows its customers to also be its owners.
TikTok Bid Highlights Oracle’s Public Embrace of Trump
The tech giant stands out in Silicon Valley for its close ties to the administration, which must bless any deal for the social media app.
In Act of Heresy, N.R.A.’s Former No. 2 Calls for Gun Control
A new book from a controversial former executive accuses the National Rifle Association of “appealing to the paranoia and darkest side of our members.”
In Bid for TikTok, Microsoft Flexes Its Power in Washington
The tech giant, once an example of how not to operate in the nation’s capital, now has a successful influence operation there.
The Gaffes, the Kiss, the Parties! What We Miss When Conventions Go Online.
What is American politics without a bit of schmoozing?
Nursing Homes With Safety Problems Deploy Trump-Connected Lobbyists
Nursing homes, the center of the pandemic, are seeking tax breaks, federal cash infusions and protection against lawsuits.
Biden Faces Pressure From Left Over Influence Industry Ties
Many of his aides and close allies are veteran Washington hands who have profited from advising big corporations. The Sanders-Warren wing of the party is not happy.
Democrats Investigating Why White House Ended Ban on Some Gun Silencer Sales
A House subcommittee wants the White House to turn over documents related to the shift and the involvement of a former industry lobbyist who is now an administration official.
Jeff Bezos Cast in a Role He Never Wanted: Amazon’s D.C. Defender
The chief executive, who testifies before Congress for the first time on Wednesday, had taken a hands-off approach with lawmakers in Washington.
Special Interests Mobilize to Get Piece of Next Virus Relief Package
Congress is about to start negotiating in earnest over another round of stimulus, and a frenzy of lobbying is already underway.
TikTok Enlists Army of Lobbyists as Suspicions Over China Ties Grow
The viral social media app has beefed up its lobbying operation to counter several potential actions in Washington that could threaten the company’s future.
Inside the White House, a Gun Industry Lobbyist Delivers for His Former Patrons
The Trump administration lifted a ban on sales of silencers to private overseas buyers that was intended to protect U.S. troops from ambushes. The change was championed by a lawyer for the president who had worked for a firearms trade group.
Consumer Bureau Scraps Restrictions on Payday Loans
Lenders spent years battling planned new rules that they said would gut a short-term lending market that often leaves borrowers trapped in debt.
When Washington Helped Small Business, Washington Was Helped
The loan program to help firms keep paying their workers had many beneficiaries. Among them was the capital’s permanent political class.
The Swamp Is Coming From Inside Trump’s Campaign
Lobbyists like David Urban, whose connections start at the very top, are thriving as they help the president’s re-election effort while aiding corporate clients.
Prince Andrew Sought Washington Lobbyist to Help With Epstein Case
Lawyers for the prince consulted a lobbyist with connections in Trump foreign policy circles. No deal was struck.
How College Sports Spurred Mississippi to Seriously Reconsider Its Flag
Time and again, debate over the state’s flag and its Confederate battle imagery faded away. Then college sports leaders threatened to take away some of the biggest games.
Disgraced Lobbyist Jack Abramoff Headed Back to Jail
Mr. Abramoff became the first person charged with violating a law that was amended in response to his previous criminal offenses.