The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 14, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The corruption trial of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez started May 13th for allegedly taking gold bars and cash in exchange for favors. May 3rd, the U.S. Justice Department announced bribery charges against Congressman Henry Cuellar. May 9th, news surfaced that former President Donald Trump promised U.S. oil executives he’d roll back climate regulations – and asked for $1 Billion dollars in contributions.
According to reporting by the Washington Post, Trump’s brazen ask occurred at an April dinner with U.S. oil & gas executives. He told them they could afford to contribute $1 Billion dollars to his campaign, and promised he would expand drilling in the Arctic and Gulf of Mexico, and roll back Biden administration climate rules. “You’ll get it on the first day,” he reportedly said.
Menendez, former chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is accused of doing political favors for the government of Egypt, an Egyptian American businessman, and a New Jersey developer in exchange for gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes convertible.
Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar was indicted May 3rd for allegedly taking $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil & gas company, and a Mexican bank. He could face decades in prison.
Campaign finance complaints will likely be filed against Trump, but it’s unlikely the dysfunctional Federal Election Commission would take action – because there were no gold bars involved.
Find out more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Washington Post – (Possible Pay-Wall) What Trump promised oil CEOs as he asked them to steer $1 billion to his campaign
Politico – Trump pressed oil executives to give $1 billion for his campaign, people in industry say
The Guardian – Trump promised to scrap climate laws if US oil bosses donated $1bn – report
Politico – ‘A little bold and gross’: Oil industry writes executive orders for Trump to sign
NPR – Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez goes on trial in New York on federal corruption charges
Reuters – US Senator Robert Menendez’s corruption trial to get underway
U.S. Justice Department – U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar Charged with Bribery and Acting as a Foreign Agent
Groups Taking Action:
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Campaign Legal Center,
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