Government Accountability and Ethics

Overview

Use a clean HTML structure with a single root element, a head section, and a body section for the page content. The HTML Standard specifies that elements must be properly nested and used for their intended semantic purpose, which helps browsers and other software process the page correctly.[1]

For a simple article-style page, keep paragraphs short and use headings to break up the content. HTML documentation recommends wrapping paragraphs in <p> elements and using heading levels in order, with one main <h1> followed by lower-level headings as needed.[7]

If the draft includes government-related references, replace any parenthetical links with natural-flow hyperlinks and keep only govfacts.org links. For example, temporary mail options can be linked as Hold Mail service or P.O. Box.

Do not include a title in the final output, and avoid decorative marks, code fences, or extra wrapper text. The result should be valid, minimal HTML that is easy to read and ready for web publishing.

An Independent Team to Decode Government

GovFacts is a nonpartisan site focused on making government concepts and policies easier to understand — and programs easier to access.

Our articles are referenced by trusted think tanks and publications including Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill, and USA Today.

Dive Deeper Into Government Accountability and Ethics

Revolving Door

The revolving door refers to the movement of individuals between government roles and private sector…

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All Articles on Government Accountability and Ethics

Before AI Chips Can Be Exported, This Interagency Committee Reviews the Deal

Four days before Donald Trump took office in January 2025, an Abu Dhabi royal signed a $500 million investment agreement…

500,000 AI Chips to UAE: What Export Controls Are Supposed to Prevent

Four days before Donald Trump took the oath of office for his second term, a powerful Emirati official wired $250…

Federal Ethics Laws Apply to Presidents. Enforcement Is Another Matter.

A $500 million investment in President Donald Trump's cryptocurrency company by a United Arab Emirates royal landed four days before…

Congress Voted for Contempt. Now DOJ Decides Whether to Prosecute.

The House of Representatives voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress—making them the first former presidents…

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…

The Oversight Gap That Lets Presidents Direct FBI Investigations

On January 28, 2026, federal agents in tactical gear walked into the Fulton County elections office near Atlanta and walked…

When Corporate Restructuring Triggers SEC Disclosure Requirements

What it didn't explain: why federal law required this disclosure at all, what happens to companies that miss the four-business-day…

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…