Let the Corruption Begin

Let the Corruption Begin

by Mark M. Bello

Remember the scene in the movie Ghost where recently deceased Sam (played by Patrick Swayze) uses psychic Oda Mae Brown (played by Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg) to warn his girlfriend, Molly (played by Demi Moore), that her life is in danger? Sam wants Oda Mae to break the news to Molly gently. Goldberg turns to Moore and blurts, “Molly? You in danger, girl!” To Oda Mae Brown, sugar-coating pending danger made no sense.

Shielded by 2 months of mass chaos known as the Trump administration, recent actions by “the dictator on day one” and his “new personal lawyer,” Attorney General Pam Bondi, to dismantle key oversight divisions within the Department of Justice (DOJ) and dismiss officials responsible for curbing government corruption represent a profound shift in the U.S. government’s commitment to accountability and transparency. In other words, “You in danger, folks!” Indeed, these actions pose significant dangers to American citizens, as they undermine the mechanisms designed to prevent abuses of power and ensure ethical governance.

Dismantling of Oversight Divisions

One of the most alarming developments is the substantial reduction of the DOJ’s public corruption unit, established following President Nixon’s Watergate scandal in 1976. This vital unit prosecutes federal public corruption and election crimes. According to recent news reports, the section once employed 30 prosecutors and is now reduced to single-digit numbers. Some reports conclude that there are as few as five remaining members.

The purge began with the controversial dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. In what many believe was a quid pro quo “deal” with the president, Adams would do Trump’s bidding on New York City’s immigration issues in exchange for the dismissal of charges. To Trump supporters, this is merely one more cog in the D.O.G.E. downsizing effort. To those knowledgeable about legal and political issues, the move is a transparent effort to weaken regulations and integrity measures to make public officials like Trump, Musk, and Bondi less accountable to the DOJ, Congress, and the American people. In other words, folks, let the corruption begin.

In addition to reducing the public corruption unit, Bondi has taken steps to disband two key anti-kleptocracy units focused on targeting corrupt foreign officials, including Russian oligarchs. The FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force, which played a crucial role in addressing foreign interference in U.S. politics, has been shut down. Stew on that one for a moment while the United States and Ukraine play war games with Vladimir Putin and Russia.

There has also been a six-month halt in enforcement actions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which prohibits bribes by U.S. businesses for overseas deals. Trump administration officials justify these changes as necessary to improve U.S. business competitiveness. Let’s call them what they are: The United States of America under Trump now encourages global corruption and impedes efforts to combat unethical international practices.

Firing of Inspectors General

After taking office in January 2025, President Trump almost immediately announced the dismissals of 17 inspectors general across various federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense, State, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Energy, and Transportation. You may know that inspectors general serve as independent watchdogs within federal agencies; they investigate fraud, waste, and abuse. Their abrupt removal, without a federally mandated 30-day notice to Congress, calls into question the legality of these actions and further erodes governmental oversight.

This nonsense has at least five (and probably more) dangerous implications for American citizens:

1. Erosion of Accountability: The reduction of divisions and professionals dedicated to investigating public corruption severely restricts the government’s ability to hold government officials accountable for unethical behavior. This erosion of oversight will lead to unchecked abuses of power and foster an environment where corruption flourishes without consequence. Considering Trump’s baggage from his previous administration and shady business and personal dealings, corruption without consequence cannot be a good thing in the Trump era. He needs a watchdog to protect him and us from his natural predilection toward bullying and wrongdoing.
2. Increased Foreign Influence: The disbandment of task forces targeting foreign interference and corrupt foreign officials weakens the nation’s defenses against external threats. This reduction in oversight makes the U.S. easily susceptible to foreign influence in its political processes, potentially compromising national security and the integrity of democratic institutions. Many voters already believe that Trump is too cozy with the likes of Putin and Kim Jung Un. The president’s recent Oval Office meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy provides ample evidence of Trump’s preference for Putin. And the Republican majority in Congress seems willing to support anything Trump wants to do (or risk being “primaried”). This is a recipe for an international disaster.
3. Undermining Rule of Law: Inspectors general (before the Trump presidency) were legally protected to ensure independent oversight. Their abrupt dismissal undermines the rule of law and sets a precedent where unscrupulous public officials can disregard legal safeguards. As such, checks and balances, essential to justice, fairness, and democratic governance, are weakened.
4. Diminished Public Trust: These actions erode public trust in government institutions. When our government dismantles mechanisms designed to prevent and expose corruption, citizens lose confidence in their leaders and the fairness of governmental processes, leading to increased cynicism and disengagement from civic participation. America has too much division, distrust, and uncertainty. She doesn’t need more.
5. Global Repercussions: Weakening anti-corruption efforts and oversight can have international consequences. The U.S. has been the leader in promoting transparency and ethical governance worldwide. Retreating from these commitments emboldens authoritarian regimes, undermines global efforts to combat corruption, threatens international stability, and impedes the global economy. In addition, Trump’s tariff wars with former friends and neighbors cause our Canadian, Mexican, and European neighbors to look elsewhere for ethical government officials, fundamental fairness, and welcoming trade partners.

President Trump and Attorney General Bondi’s actions to dismantle critical DOJ oversight mechanisms and dismiss officials tasked with maintaining governmental integrity represent a significant threat to the principles of accountability and transparency. For American citizens, these developments pose extreme dangers beyond immediate governance concerns, potentially affecting national security, public trust, and the foundation of democratic society.

America? “You in danger, girl!” It is imperative that We, the People, recognize and address these challenges to preserve the rule of law and protect the interests of the populace. Contact your elected representatives and demand continued accountability.

About Mark M. Bello

Mark M. Bello is an attorney and author of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series and children’s social justice/safety picture books. He also hosts the popular bi-weekly podcast, Justice Counts (https://www.spreaker.com/show/justice-counts_1). Mark’s books may be found at all online booksellers and on his website, at https://www.markmbello.com.