Ethics &
Accountability

Executive Branch Ethics

To hold the executive branch accountable, there needs to be strong, independent institutions in place. That means strengthening and clarifying the authority of the supervising ethics office for the executive branch, protecting the integrity, independence, and ability of Inspectors General to deter and investigate abuse of power without interference, and calling out executive branch officials for ethical lapses.

Featured Work

policy

Private: Ensuring the independence of inspectors general (IGs)

Loopholes in our system allow presidents to overreach and fire IGs for political or personal reasons, undermining the public’s ability to hold government officials accountable.

policy

Private: Preventing the president from abusing their power for personal gain

Congress must reassert itself as a co-equal branch of government and fulfill its constitutionally mandated oversight of the executive branch.

Sign-on letters

Issue One calls on Congress to protect and strengthen nation’s critical IG system

This week, Issue One spearheaded a crosspartisan coalition of 11 organizations calling on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to expeditiously mark up and advance legislation designed to strengthen the Inspectors…

Press releases

Issue One praises anticipated new ethics order from President Biden, criticizes Trump for rescinding his ethics order on way out of White House

Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement today in response to President Joe Biden’s anticipated executive order aimed at enhancing government ethics and lobbying rules: “President Joe…

Analysis

Here’s why modernizing the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) should be on top of the congressional to-do list

In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal involving President Richard Nixon, Congress established the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) in 1978 to provide oversight of the executive branch and prevent — and resolve…

Press releases

It is time to enhance and modernize the Office of Government Ethics (OGE)

As Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Director Walter Shaub leaves office this week, Issue One Chief of Policy, Programs and Strategy Meredith McGehee released the following statement: “Public confidence in…

Featured Press

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Issue One praises anticipated new ethics order from President Biden, criticizes Trump for rescinding his ethics order on way out of White House

Scott Pruitt’s ethical lapses finally catch up to him

White House OMB Director pulls back curtain on the worst of Washington

Anonymous political donations to government sources are a nonstarter

The Latest on Executive Branch Ethics

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Feb 02, 2017

Archived

Announcing Issue One’s Snapshots Project

Let’s face it: Not everyone can follow every money in politics, ethics or conflict of interest story, especially when there are daily — or hourly — developments. But we also…

Jan 31, 2017

Press releases

President Trump closed a door and opened a tollbooth

In response to Trump administration advisers launching the political nonprofit group America First Policies to support President Trump’s policies, Issue One Chief of Policy, Programs and Strategy Meredith McGehee issued the following…

Jan 28, 2017

Press releases

Issue One Statement on President Trump’s Lobbying Executive Order

This statement has been updated following a review of the executive order on ethics signed by President Trump. “At first blush, today’s executive order on ethics signed by President Trump…

Jan 11, 2017

Press releases

Donald Trump’s Conflict of Interest Plan Doesn’t Go Nearly Far Enough

President-elect Donald Trump waded into uncharted waters today at his first press conference since he won the November election. Unfortunately, the Trump plan outlined to address conflicts of interest falls…

Jan 10, 2017

TV appearances

Meredith McGehee talks Jared Kushner’s appointment on NBC Nightly News

Ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s press conference tomorrow, which is scheduled to address his businesses and potential conflicts of interest, he named his son-in-law Jared Kushner as a senior adviser.…