Government Accountability and Ethics

Government Accountability and Ethics ensure public officials serve the public good, not personal interests, through transparency, oversight, and enforcement of ethical standards.

Congressional Oversight

Congress holds the executive accountable via investigations and hearings. Officials who refuse to answer Congress may face criminal contempt, though prosecution depends on the Justice Department. Powers to compel Attorney General testimony are key, even in unusual cases like Federal Reserve probes.

DOJ Independence

Unwritten rules shield DOJ from White House influence, with safeguards for career prosecutors. Systems prevent presidents from demanding prosecutions of opponents or weaponizing law, maintaining prosecutorial independence.

Ethics and Conflicts

Ethics laws mandate disclosures, yet gaps allow presidential profits like office-linked gains. View congressional stock trades; the Emoluments Clause bars foreign emoluments.

Transparency

The Presidential Records Act covers social media, while DOJ releases investigation files. Journalists risk Espionage Act charges or FBI searches under strict standards.