Presidential Integrity & Accountability
We believe: the office of the President is a sacred trust.
All Presidents should put the interests of the US ahead of their personal or financial concerns.
We support:
Strengthen Financial Transparency and Ethics
🎯 Objective:
Ensure the president is free from financial conflicts of interest and operates with full transparency.
✅ Key Actions:
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Mandatory Financial Disclosures: Require annual, detailed public disclosure of the president’s assets, liabilities, and income streams.
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Blind Trust Requirement: Mandate that the president place all business and investment holdings in a fully independent blind trust upon assuming office.
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Mandatory Tax Return Release: Require public disclosure of at least 10 years of tax returns prior to election and annual filings while in office.
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Prohibit Presidential Self-Dealing: Ban use of the presidential office for personal financial gain, including the promotion of family businesses.
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Expanded Office of Government Ethics (OGE): Give the OGE the authority to investigate and enforce executive ethics violations independently.
📘 Reform the Presidential Pardon Power
🎯 Objective:
Prevent the abuse of clemency power for corrupt, self-serving, or politically motivated purposes.
✅ Key Actions:
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Independent Clemency Review Board: Establish a nonpartisan body to vet all presidential pardons and commutations, with public reports.
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Ban Pardons for Family and Business Associates: Prohibit presidential pardons for close relatives, current or former business partners, or anyone whose actions may implicate the president.
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Transparency for Clemency Decisions: Require public justification for all pardons and commutations issued.
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Delayed Effect for Controversial Pardons: Allow congressional or judicial review for high-risk or controversial clemency actions before they take effect.
📘 Reinforce Rule of Law and Legal Accountability
🎯 Objective:
Ensure that the president is not above the law and can be held accountable for criminal or unconstitutional behavior.
✅ Key Actions:
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Clarify Presidential Immunity Limits: Enact legislation affirming that sitting presidents are subject to criminal investigation and civil lawsuits.
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Independent Special Counsel Protections: Guarantee funding and independence for special counsels investigating executive misconduct.
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Automatic Judicial Review of Executive Privilege Claims: Prevent misuse of executive privilege to obstruct legal inquiries.
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Criminal Penalties for Obstruction of Oversight: Make it a felony to knowingly obstruct or defy congressional subpoenas or investigative processes.
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Limit Emergency Powers: Tighten definitions and duration of presidential emergency powers, requiring congressional approval for extensions beyond 30 days.
📘 Strengthen Oversight and Separation of Powers
🎯 Objective:
Reinvigorate checks and balances between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
✅ Key Actions:
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Codify Congressional Oversight Rights: Guarantee timely compliance with congressional subpoenas and hearings for executive officials.
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Require Independent Inspectors General: Mandate that IGs can only be removed for cause and must report to Congress.
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Restrict Abuse of Acting Appointments: Limit use of unconfirmed “acting” officials to 120 days without Senate confirmation.
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Annual Accountability Hearings: Require the president to testify before Congress on ethics, governance, and national security matters.
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Ban Secret Settlements or Agreements: Prohibit undisclosed deals or executive agreements with foreign governments without congressional review.
📘 Safeguard Elections and Presidential Conduct in Office
🎯 Objective:
Protect democratic institutions and ensure presidential campaigns and conduct remain fair, lawful, and free from foreign influence.
✅ Key Actions:
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Ban Foreign Influence in Campaigns: Enforce strict criminal penalties for soliciting, accepting, or using foreign assistance in elections.
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Enforce Hatch Act Violations: Apply penalties for misuse of government resources for political gain, even to White House staff and Cabinet officials.
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Ban Anonymous Political Donations by Presidents and Families: Prohibit the president and immediate family members from receiving anonymous or crypto-based political funds.
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Presidential Campaign Audit: Require post-election audits of campaign finance and ethics compliance for winning presidential candidates.
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Civic Oath and Accountability Curriculum: Mandate civic education and ethics training for presidential candidates and campaign staff.
TAKE ACTION – Contact Congress
(How to contact Congress) click here
Congressional Committees That Oversee Presidential Integrity and Accountability
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
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Lead Senate committee for general oversight of the Executive Branch.
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Jurisdiction includes:
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Federal government ethics and performance
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Presidential records and compliance with transparency laws (e.g., FOIA, PRA)
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Oversight of the Office of Government Ethics and Inspectors General
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🔹 Senate Committee on the Judiciary
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Handles:
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Legal and constitutional oversight of presidential conduct
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Impeachment-related hearings (though the Senate as a body conducts trials)
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Examination of DOJ actions related to the presidency
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🔹 Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
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Oversees intelligence operations, including:
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Investigations into presidential misuse of intelligence for political purposes
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Executive interference in intelligence assessments or agencies
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U.S. House of Representatives
🔹 House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
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Primary investigative committee in the House.
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Jurisdiction includes:
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Oversight of the Executive Branch
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Investigation of alleged misconduct or abuse of power by the President or Executive officials
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Ethical violations, misuse of federal resources, conflicts of interest
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🔍 This committee is often central in inquiries into presidential actions, financial disclosures, and compliance with laws like the Hatch Act or the Emoluments Clause.
🔹 House Committee on the Judiciary
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Has authority over:
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Impeachment proceedings against a President or federal officers
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Evaluation of criminal or constitutional violations
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Examination of obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and misconduct
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🛑 The Judiciary Committee played leading roles in the Nixon, Clinton, and Trump impeachment inquiries.
🔹 House Committee on Ethics
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Primarily focuses on House members, but plays a role in:
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Reviewing Executive Branch interactions with Congress
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Enforcing internal standards that may intersect with presidential lobbying or influence
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🔹 House Committee on Appropriations
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Through its subcommittees, it can:
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Investigate misuse of appropriated funds by the Executive Branch
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Block or condition funding based on executive conduct
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