Trump administration dismantles anti-corruption enforcement structures
Trump administration dismantles anti-corruption enforcement and grants pardons to white-collar criminals.
Event / Politics
Trump Higher Education Accreditation Reform
The Trump administration is moving to remove the American Bar Association's authority to accredit law schools and overhaul higher education accreditation systems. This occurs alongside multiple pardons of white-collar criminals and dismantling of anti-corruption enforcement mechanisms.
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2026-08-22 to 2026-11-09 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Aug, 04:22 UTC
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What happened
Trump administration grants pardons and commutations to multiple white-collar criminals
President Trump has pardoned or commuted sentences for numerous white-collar criminals since taking office, including cryptocurrency exchange executives and private equity professionals. The administration has eliminated restitution and forfeiture obligations totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, including a $700 million restitution, $50 million restitution to the Camberos, $15.5 million forfeiture for David Gentile, and $130 million in federal fines for BitMEX executives.
Department of Education announces broader higher education accreditation overhaul
The Department of Education released a notice of proposed rulemaking on August 19 aimed at overhauling the college and university accreditation process. The proposed changes criticize the current system for driving up costs, contributing to administrative bloat, and pushing ideological agendas. The department argues that a small number of accrediting agencies have controlled higher education for too long. Public comments on the proposed rules can be submitted until September 21.
Trevor Milton, Nikola founder convicted of fraud, pardoned by Trump
Trevor Milton, former CEO of Nikola Corporation who was convicted of fraud in 2022 for misleading investors, was pardoned by President Trump in March 2025. Milton had been sentenced to four years in prison. Before his pardon, Milton and his wife donated more than $1.8 million to committees supporting Trump's reelection.
Trump administration eliminates anti-corruption task forces and enforcement programs
The Trump administration has eliminated task forces on kleptocrats, paused enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and reduced enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Trump administration recommends removing ABA's federal accreditation authority for law schools
The Trump administration's Department of Education recommended rejecting the American Bar Association's status as a federally recognized accreditor of law schools. A 500-page Department of Education report found the ABA out of compliance with federal accreditor regulations. The recommendation will be reviewed by an independent, bipartisan advisory committee in September before a final decision is made by the Undersecretary of Education.
ABA accreditation authority over 200 law schools at stake
The American Bar Association currently reviews and sets standards for approximately 200 law schools that receive federal funding. ABA accreditation is essential for law student access to bar exams and attorney licensing. The ABA's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar is the only accreditor of Juris Doctor programs recognized by the Department of Education. If the ABA loses federal recognition, students at non-ABA-accredited law schools would lose access to federal student loans and grants.
Trump administration plans to destroy shell company ownership registry
The Trump Treasury Department announced it would destroy the government's registry on shell-company ownership, a database that law enforcement uses to investigate money laundering and corruption.
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Trump administration targets ABA's law school accreditation authority
Trump administration seeks to remove ABA's accreditation authority over 200+ law schools.