Schumer unveils bill to create new bureau to keep investigating Trump after he leaves office
WASHINGTON, DC: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled legislation to create a new federal Anti-Corruption Bureau with subpoena power to investigate alleged corruption involving President Donald Trump and future administrations.
The proposed bureau also aims to replace several existing ethics watchdogs and allow investigations to continue after a president leaves office.
‘Boldest’ institution to probe corruption allegations against Trump
Chuck Schumer revealed details about the proposed anti-corruption bureau during Public Citizen's "Combating Corruption" event, calling it the "biggest, boldest and broadest proposal ever put forward to revitalize our anti-corruption institutions."
Schumer’s proposed anti-corruption institution would be powered with a right to subpoena and could investigate the Trump administration even after Trump leaves office.
As per the proposed bill, citizens and state attorneys general would be able to file lawsuits "to recover money stolen from the public through government corruption."
"The idea is simple. If Donald Trump or one of his lackeys, sons or cronies uses government influence to steal from you, you deserve your day in court. Our bill has provisions that give priority to state attorneys general and to larger, more severe cases of corruption to ensure that frivolous suits don't get in the way of justice," Schumer said.
President would appoint and Senate would confirm board members
Further revealing the roadmap of the proposed institution’s working process, Schumer said that the board would feature seven members, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
To address possible bias, the board would be capped at three members from each party, with the seventh being nonpartisan.
The proposed anti-corruption Bureau also aims to shake up the bureaucracy structure, replacing the Office of Government Ethics, the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Special Counsel, The Washington Post reported ahead of Schumer's speech.
To cap the corruption possibilities, the bill also has a provision to limit the cost of gifts to be received by the President, his family, and top federal administrators.
The bill would ban presidents and vice presidents, as well as their spouses and adult children, and many other senior administration officials from seeking or accepting gifts worth more than $50,000, the Post also reported.
Institution would be self-sustaining to avoid intervention
Schumer said the bureau would be given "a self-sustaining funding source to guarantee its independence, much like the Federal Reserve."
"What if Trump tries to commandeer [the Anti-Corruption Bureau] to go after his political opponents?" Schumer said. "This would come at a steep price. Our bill explicitly prohibits weaponizing the bureau."
"Trump has raked in at least $2.2 billion since taking office 18 months ago. Together, the Trump family has made at least $4 billion in that time," Schumer said. "How does a president and his family secure billions in profits just after a year and a half in office? How? By exploiting the information, access and influence that only the president of the United States can have."
“Picture if our next president is an even more devious or competent crook. The bill isn't just about this moment. It's about restoring American's trust in government long term," Schumer added.
