Public corruption harms everyday people and undermines democracy. The misuse of taxpayer funds diverts resources away from essential services, while abuses of power and systemic inequality deepen public disillusionment with government.
The United States has seen corruption and its harms throughout history, but this moment is different. The safeguards built into our constitutional system are failing, eroded by an executive unchecked by Congress and the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, megadonors dominate election spending like never before, using their special access and outsized influence to warp policy in their favor.
The rising threat of concentrated wealth and power dominating our political system demands wide-ranging reforms to restore trust and integrity in government. The Brennan Center is conducting extensive research on corruption’s harms and promoting innovative policy solutions to return democratic power to the American people.
