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Judd Legum Profile picture
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21 Jan, 8 tweets, 5 min read
1. A top DC lobbying firm hired a controversial Trump advisor and tried to keep it under wraps.

When I reached out for comment, the firm attempted to cover up the cover up.

But I have receipts.

popular.info/p/top-dc-lobby…

Follow along if interested.

popular.info/p/top-dc-lobby…
2. The firm @forbestate hired Trump advisor Tate Bennett on January 5 as an SVP at the firm.

Normally, when @forbestate hires someone at that level there is a press release, a tweet, and an article in Politico.

But with Bennett NOTHING.

popular.info/p/top-dc-lobby…
@forbestate 3. I reached out to @ForbesJeffrey, the co-founder of the firm, and asked why the firm was keeping Bennett's hiring quiet.

I gave him a deadline of 5PM on 1/20 to respond.

Forbes never responded

But on January 20 at 4:04 PM an article on Bennett's hiring appeared in Politico
4. Why is @forbestate trying to keep Bennett's hiring under wraps - and then cover-up the cover-up?

Bennett is perhaps best known for her time at the EPA when she arranged meetings for former lobbying clients w/top staff.

popular.info/p/top-dc-lobby…
5. Three Senators called for an Inspector General investigation of Bennett's conduct at the EPA.

At the White House Bennett ran the "Farmers to Families Food Box program" which ALSO became the subject of a Congressional investigation.

popular.info/p/top-dc-lobby…
6. According to @WhipClyburn, the program administered by Bennett was "marred by questionable contracting practices, a lack of accountability, & a failure to deliver food to many communities that need it most"

Each box did have a letter from Trump!

popular.info/p/top-dc-lobby…
7. Bennett's hiring is a case study of how veterans of the Trump White House are still able to find lucrative positions in the influence industry.

She'll be making six-figures in her new job.

popular.info/p/top-dc-lobby…
8. More broadly, @forbestate is trying to benefit from Tate Bennett's connections while avoiding the taint of the Trump administration.

For more in-depth investigations and accountability journalism, sign up for the newsletter.

popular.info/subscribe

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More from @JuddLegum

Judd Legum Profile picture
23 Jan
1. @Microsoft is one of the largest contributors to the members of Congress who tried to subvert the Democratic process

Microsoft has made NO COMMITMENTS to stop funding this group

At a company meeting on Thursday, Prez Brad Smith explained why.

And it's pretty appalling
@Microsoft 2. In a transcript of the meeting leaked to CNBC, Smith said that @Microsoft needs to make contributions to politicians because sending these politicians money allows him to "pick up the phone" and get "help"

cnbc.com/2021/01/22/mic…
@Microsoft 3. Smith says @Microsoft is going to continuing to give lots of politicians money because this "help" -- which includes help on "tax issues" -- is "important"

Apparently more important than the integrity of the democratic process.
Read 9 tweets
Judd Legum Profile picture
21 Jan
On DECEMBER 30, 2020: Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) announced he would object to the certification of the electoral college

On DECEMBER 31, 2020: @Microsoft donated $2500 to Hawley
@HawleyMO @Microsoft On DECEMBER 30, 2020: Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) announced he would object to the certification of the electoral college

On DECEMBER 31, 2020: @WellsFargo donated $1500 to Hawley
For updates and accountability journalism, sign up for the newsletter:

popular.info/subscribe
Read 5 tweets
Judd Legum Profile picture
19 Jan
UPDATE: @Oracle suspends donations to members of Congress that voted against certifying Biden’s win.
The announcement came the day after popular.info reported that 500 Oracle employees wrote the board demanding action
The announcement is particularly significant because @Oracle CEO Larry Ellison is one of Trump's top donors and supporters

reuters.com/article/us-chi…
Read 4 tweets
Judd Legum Profile picture
19 Jan
1. 79 members of the Pennsylvania legislature publicly opposed certification of the Electoral College

Will corporations continue to support their campaigns?

We asked them.

Follow along if interested.

popular.info/p/corporations…
2. @LillyPad (Eli Lilly) has suspended contributions to members of Congress who objected to the Electoral College. The company told Popular Information that the same policy applies to members of the PA legislature who opposed certification.

popular.info/p/corporations…
3. Several major corporations that have paused all political contributions to members of Congress said that policy extends to state-level politicians

@Microsoft
@chubb
@Boeing
@UPS
@MarathonPetroCo
@LibertyMutual
@firstenergycorp

popular.info/p/corporations…
Read 7 tweets
Judd Legum Profile picture
16 Jan
1. We asked 144 companies if they will continue contributing to members of Congress who objected to the Electoral College

We've now heard back from 91

Some major companies that have remained silent

@JetBlue
@Nestle
@SamsungUS
@ViacomCBS
@SouthwestAir

popular.info/p/three-major-…
@JetBlue @Nestle @SamsungUS @ViacomCBS @SouthwestAir 2. If you work for any of these companies and have information, please reach out to me.

jlegum@protonmail.com and my DMs are open.

I will protect your identity.
3. IMPORTANT: Just because a company responds, it doesn't mean the response is particularly meaningful.

Specifically, companies announcing they are "pausing" *all* political donations for an indefinite period of time are saying very little.

popular.info/p/where-things…
Read 6 tweets
Judd Legum Profile picture
16 Jan
Josh Hawley is holding a fundraiser next month at @Lowes_Hotels for his leadership PAC, Fighting for Missouri.

In non-election years, PACs file semi-annually.

That means, if this event goes forward, all donors will be reported no later than 7/31/2021

I will report back then.
A lot of people are questioning whether the announcements by corporations this week will have any lasting impact.

The answer depends on whether people keep paying attention.

Sign up to the newsletter for updates and accountability journalism.

popular.info/subscribe
The fact that we won't know this information until July shows the weaknesses in the campaign finance disclosure system.

Yes, there is dark money.

But even with the money that isn't "dark" the disclosure is too slow.

We need reform so we can have more accountability.
Read 4 tweets

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