How It All Works

Congress passed a law requiring them to publicly disclose stock trades within 45 days. They wrote the exemption themselves. For "delay and deference" to the executive branch.

Members can place assets in "blind trusts" but there is no requirement to actually blind them. Many maintain full visibility while technically "managing" the trust.

Committee chairs know which defense contractors are about to get contracts. appropriators know which agencies are getting funded. They trade ahead of public announcements.

Under "sole source" or "no bid" rules, agencies can award contracts without competitive bidding. DOD uses this for classified programs. Sometimes it's abuse, sometimes it's by design.

Defense contractors hire retired generals and ex-Congressional staffers as consultants and executives. The contractors get insider access; the officials get cushy jobs after leaving.

Members of the Armed Services Committee directly own stock in the contractors they oversee. They vote on budgets for companies they have financial stakes in. No recusal requirements.

Nonprofits can spend unlimited money on "social welfare" activities without disclosing donors. Groups like Arabella Advisors manage billions for anonymous clients, including politically motivated funding.

Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited funds, but must disclose donors. Still, shell companies and LLCs make tracing money back to its source difficult. America PAC (Trump's) raised $300M+.

Dark money groups donate to Super PACs. Super PACs donate to candidates. Candidates vote for policies that benefit their donors. The public never sees the connection.