Weekly Spotlight: Get it in writing

Editor’s Note

There will be no Weekly Spotlight next week. We will be back in your inbox on August 15.

Announcements

Join us in welcoming POGO’s new Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Capacity Building, Kristen Brengel. Kristen is a national advocacy leader and brings to POGO a wealth of experience in championing the interests of the people. “I’ve been dedicated to upholding transparency, accountability, and the effective use of taxpayer funds my entire career. These principles are needed now more than ever to rein in executive overreach, ensure Congress conducts robust oversight, and build a strong accountability system that protects the constitutional rights of all those who call the United States home,” says Kristen. Read more on pogo.org.

DEPARTMENT OF INJUSTICE

Get it in writing

As you know, confirmation proceedings are underway for Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee to head the Justice Department (DOJ). POGO is vehemently opposed to Blanche’s nomination. Just one of the many reasons why is the sweetheart deal Blanche helped broker for the president in settling Trump v. IRS. Though DOJ backtracked on the “anti-weaponization fund” part of the deal — and though a federal judge denounced and blocked it — DOJ is still refusing to satisfactorily stand down. The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed Blanche’s confirmation vote this week because two key Republicans on the committee are refusing to back Blanche until DOJ confirms the settlement fund is gone for good.

• While there has been much-warranted attention on the slush fund aspect of the settlement, there is a whole other part to it that still stands: sweeping immunity from audits of past taxes (and, potentially, other matters) for the president, his family, and his close associates.
• We joined forces with Common Cause to demand congressional action on the immunity order. DOJ should not have the power to put presidents outside the reach of the law. And a potentially boundless get-out-of-jail-free card for this president, in particular, would be an immensely dangerous precedent.

ANALYSIS

The War Clock Never Stopped

The Trump administration wants Congress to believe we’re in a new, distinct conflict with Iran. That is nonsense. New commentary from POGO’s David Janovsky on pogo.org.

ABUSING POWER AND RIGHTS

ICE’s new frontier: the airport

A document released by fellow good government group American Oversight reveals the extent of ICE’s collaboration with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to increase immigration enforcement and arrests at airports across the country. Not only does this chill travel; it also raises serious concerns about the government’s data sharing and collection. You don’t expect the information you input to verify your identity when you buy an airline ticket to be used in targeted law enforcement operations. As we keep learning, there is no limit to the government’s appetite for your private information. 404 Media recently charted out how the government buys credit card data to track and locate people.

• The surveillance state seemingly has its prying eyes everywhere. But we don’t have to accept that as the new status quo. You have the constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy. We will fight to defend it — and it starts with closing the backdoor search and data broker loopholes that allow government agencies to buy and access your data without a warrant.
• This week, the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the director of national intelligence. We have concerns about the government’s sweeping surveillance powers, no matter whose hands they are in. “Congress must ... ensure that Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights are secure regardless of who helms the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and who is in the White House,” says POGO’s Don Bell.

NEW FROM POGO

The American Military’s Center of Gravity

The Secretary of Defense says there is no munitions crisis. Some members of Congress say there is one. The available data suggests both can be true at once. Read the new report from POGO’s Virginia Burger on pogo.org.