Padilla, Schumer Launch New Anti-Corruption Initiative to Expose Trump’s Self-Dealing, Stop Presidential Profiteering

New Senate Democratic working group to expose the cost of corruption for American families, develop legislation to stop Presidential profiteering

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in launching a new Senate Democratic anti-corruption initiative to expose how President Trump's rampant self-dealing is costing American families and to develop legislation that would prevent future presidents from using public office for personal profit.

The initiative includes a new Senate Democratic anti-corruption working group and the release of a report, "The Cost of Corruption: How Trump Turns Power Into Profit At Americans' Expense." The working group will expose the Trump Administration's abuses, identify the financial harm inflicted on taxpayers and working families, and develop reforms to stop future presidents from exploiting the power of the White House for their own enrichment.

"In this Administration, corruption flows from the top down," said Senator Padilla. "From sweetheart deals with the DOJ to stock purchases ahead of mega-million government contracts and payments for pardons, the pattern is clear: the grift is coming directly from the Oval Office. Meanwhile, MAGA Republicans have made it harder than ever for families to make ends meet by driving up the cost of gas, groceries, and healthcare. We'll keep exposing their corruption - and keep fighting to hold them accountable."

"Trump is without question the most corrupt president in American history," said Leader Schumer. "Trump has betrayed the American people by using our highest office not for the good of country, but to pad his own bank account, at the expense of working families. Senate Democrats are launching this effort to expose the corruption, show Americans exactly what it is costing them, and build the reforms needed to stop any president from using public office for personal profit. The presidency belongs to the American people. It is not Donald Trump's business to sell."

On the campaign trail, President Trump promised to "end government corruption and to take our country back from the special interests." But his presidency has done the opposite: using the presidency to advance his own financial interests, reward wealthy donors and corporate allies, and direct taxpayer resources toward vanity projects and political favors. Early in 2025, he fired a long-serving Democratic commissioner from the Federal Election Commission, the bipartisan anti-corruption watchdog agency founded after the Watergate scandals and has left the agency sidelined without a quorum for over a year.

The new report details how Trump has used public power to benefit himself, his family, his friends, and his supporters-and how ordinary Americans have paid the price. The report documents the Administration's efforts to:

• Weaken the agency charged with protecting consumers from financial abuse
• Undermine wages, workplace protections, and workers' bargaining power
• Cut food assistance and other basic support to finance tax breaks for the wealthy
• Waste taxpayer money on Trump's vanity projects
• Reward corporations, donors, and political allies with favorable government treatment
• Create opportunities for foreign governments and private interests to curry favor with the President through his family's businesses and financial ventures

In addition to Padilla and Schumer, the Senate Democratic anti-corruption working group will be comprised of Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with jurisdiction over the Federal Election Commission, Senator Padilla is a leader in the fight against corruption and for campaign finance reform. He is a lead cosponsor of Senator Jeanne Shaheen's (D-N.H.) constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's misguided and destructive Citizens United v. FEC decision, which removed campaign finance restrictions and enabled organizations to spend unlimited money to influence elections. Last year, Senator Padilla denounced the illegal firing of FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub and led 10 Democratic Senators to demand President Trump rescind his attempt to fire her. Last month, Padilla joined several Democratic colleagues on the floor to mark the anniversary of the Citizens United decision and call to take back our democracy from the unlimited influence of billionaire donors.

The full report is available here.

###