Government Accountability and Ethics
Government accountability and ethics is about keeping public officials honest, answerable, and open to the people they serve. It covers the rules against corruption and conflicts of interest, the money that flows into politics, the watchdogs that investigate wrongdoing, and the tools citizens use to see what government does. It also covers how well government performs and whether the public trusts it.
An independent team explaining how government works
Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.
The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »
All Articles on Government Accountability and Ethics
Congress Voted for Contempt. Now DOJ Decides Whether to Prosecute.
Nine Democrats joined Republicans to advance the contempt resolution against Bill Clinton. Three Democrats supported the one against Hillary. When the top Democrat on…
Can Federal Contractors Sue When Shutdowns Delay Their Payments?
During the 43-day shutdown that ended in November 2025—the longest in American history—contractors faced unpaid work and lost revenue. For contractors who build ships,…
What Oversight Exists When Presidents Direct FBI Investigations
On January 28, 2026, federal agents in tactical gear walked into the Fulton County elections office near Atlanta and walked out with 700 boxes…
Balancing Act: How Federal Prosecutors Protect Victim Privacy in Public Releases
When the Department of Justice released more than 3.5 million pages of documents about Jeffrey Epstein on January 31, 2026—along with roughly 2,000 videos…
The Rules Governing When DOJ Must Release Criminal Investigation Files
On January 30, 2026, the Department of Justice published over 3 million pages of investigative materials related to Jeffrey Epstein. This wasn't an act…
Federal Contractors Face Different Shutdown Rules Than Government Employees
When the government shut down for 43 days last October, federal contractors faced a harsh reality—that they probably wouldn't get paid. Federal contractor employees…
The Powell Investigation: Federal Reserve Independence
The Powell investigation raised questions about Fed renovation spending, criminal subpoenas and the line between accountability and monetary independence.
Where Political Speech Ends and Criminal Obstruction Begins
Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for obstruction of justice. The Justice Department has not publicly…
The DOJ Has Investigated Governors Before. Here’s What Happened.
The Justice Department's investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has sparked a question: Has the DOJ done this before?…
Inside DOJ’s Process for Opening Criminal Investigations of Public Officials
In mid-January 2026, the Department of Justice opened criminal investigations into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both of whom had…