Ethical Alarm Bells Raised Over Trump’s “Shadow Cabinet” Of Advisers

Ethics experts say reports of son-in-law Jared Kushner officially joining White House team show lack of accountability for officials who do not need congressional approval

Nadia Prupis
By Nadia Prupis
Jared Kushner, son in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, left, walks with Trump's Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon at Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

(REPORT) --- President-elect Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will be named a senior adviser in the administration, according to reports, an announcement that brought new scrutiny to the potential conflicts of interest among Trump's so-called "shadow" officials—who, unlike his cabinet nominees, do not have to go through a congressional

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How Republicans Plan To Distract From Critical Confirmation Hearings

Six confirmation hearings, Trump presser, and ‘vote-o-rama’ all scheduled for same day.

Deirdre Fulton
By Deirdre Fulton
Vice President-elect Mike Pence is welcomed at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, by House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. following a closed-door meeting with the GOP caucus. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

(ANALYSIS) --- The Republican party appears to be employing a strategy wherein the public—and even lawmakers—will be too distracted to place much needed scrutiny on President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees. Not only are six major confirmation hearings now scheduled for the same day (see below)—"preventing any one nominee from dominating a

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Ethics Concerns Mount Over Trump’s Ultra-Wealthy Cabinet

The President-elect could present a waiver, to the tune of $150 million, if his Secretary of State nominee Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson balks at the idea of selling his stock.

Lauren McCauley
By Lauren McCauley
In this Nov. 19, 2016 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump walks with CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder from Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

(Analysis) — One hundred million dollar waivers? Presidential pardons? With yet another billionaire appointed to a key position within the Donald Trump administration this week, speculations abound about what the president-elect intends to do about his cabinet's unprecedented wealth—and their unprecedented conflicts. Monday's appointment of

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Trump’s Pick For Commerce Secretary May Have The Biggest Conflicts Of Them All

Wilbur Ross has made a fortune in steel — and the Commerce Department will soon make decisions that will affect his firms.

Derek Kravitz
By Derek Kravitz
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross talks with reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Many of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks are titans of industry with significant potential business conflicts of interest. But there is one in a class by himself: Commerce secretary choice Wilbur Ross. Ross has made a fortune in the steel industry 2014 an industry of which the Commerce Department has significant oversight. Indeed,

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Trump Deepens Ties To Goldman Sachs As He Builds Economic Team

During his campaign, Trump promised, “I’m not going to let Wall Street get away with murder,Wall Street has caused tremendous problems for us.”

Associated Press
By Associated Press
Goldman Sachs COO Gary Cohn talks on the phone as he waits for the start of a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON — In the heat of the presidential campaign, Donald Trump accused primary rival Ted Cruz of being controlled by Goldman Sachs because his wife, Heidi, previously worked for the Wall Street giant. He slammed Hillary Clinton for receiving speaking fees from the bank. "I know the guys at Goldman Sachs. They have total, total control over

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No Experience Needed: Trump Taps Ben Carson For HUD Secretary

Carson would oversee a budget of nearly $50 billion that provides rental assistance for more than 5 million households.

Associated Press
By Associated Press
Dr. Ben Carson stands with Republican vice president-elect Mike Pence, before a speech on healthcare by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in King of Prussia, Pa. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Donald Trump chose retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson on Monday to be secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, raising fresh concerns about the lack of experience some of Trump's Cabinet picks have with agencies they're now being chosen to lead. Carson, who opposed Trump in the Republican primaries, has no background in

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