The Trump administration has swiftly dismantled the federal government’s anti-corruption efforts since taking office. The Justice Department has halted investigations into corporate foreign bribery, reduced enforcement of a foreign agent registration law, and downplayed prosecutions of Russian oligarchs. Trump has also dismissed numerous inspectors general from federal agencies and criticized cases brought against him by special counsel Jack Smith and state prosecutors.

A memo authored by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove revealed a controversial move to drop criminal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing the need for his focus on immigration enforcement and reelection. When Adams’ attorneys were informed, Acting US Attorney Danielle Sassoon and other officials refused to sign the dismissal court filing, leading to resignations and internal conflicts.

The administration’s actions reflect a shift in prioritizing corruption cases, including pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for 180 days and changing guidelines to focus on specific bribery cases. Despite attempts to alter anti-corruption enforcement, experts suggest that legal repercussions could still occur after Trump’s tenure. Additionally, efforts to reduce enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and disband foreign election interference task forces have raised concerns about potential misuse of prosecutorial discretion.

The developments indicate a significant departure from previous anti-corruption priorities and underscore the administration’s approach to handling high-profile cases and legal investigations. The impact of these changes on corruption prosecutions and global anticorruption efforts remains uncertain, prompting discussions on the implications of altering enforcement strategies within the Justice Department.