A Dangerous Precedent: White House Pauses Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
I had to read the headline twice to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. In a move that can only be described as a brazen middle finger to the rule of law, the White House has issued a presidential order to pause the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The official justification is to “further American economic and national security.” I call it what it is: a green light for American corporations to bribe their way across the globe.
The Official Line: A Smokescreen
The order claims that the FCPA has been “stretched beyond proper bounds and abused in a manner that harms the interests of the United States.” It argues that “overexpansive and unpredictable FCPA enforcement” harms American economic competitiveness. This is a classic case of blaming the watchdog for the burglaries.
The FCPA is one of the most important anti-corruption tools in the world. It prohibits American companies and individuals from paying bribes to foreign officials to obtain or retain business. To argue that this is a barrier to competitiveness is to admit that you believe bribery is a legitimate business strategy.
What the Order Actually Does
The order mandates a 180-day review period during which the Attorney General will cease the initiation of new FCPA investigations. Let’s be clear: this is a 180-day holiday for corporate bribery. It sends a clear signal to the world that the United States is no longer serious about fighting corruption.
The order states its policy is to “eliminate excessive barriers to American commerce abroad.” If the “excessive barrier” is a law that prevents you from bribing a foreign minister for a lucrative contract, then perhaps your business model is the problem.
A Betrayal of American Values
This is not just a policy change; it’s a betrayal of the values the United States purports to champion. For decades, the U.S. has been a leader in the global fight against corruption. This order single-handedly dismantles that reputation. It tells the world that when it comes to a choice between ethics and profits, the current administration will choose profits every time.
I am disgusted, but not surprised. This is the predictable outcome of a political climate that prioritizes corporate interests above all else. We are witnessing the deliberate erosion of the legal and ethical frameworks that are supposed to keep corporate power in check.
This is not about national security. It’s about corporate greed, plain and simple. And we, the public, are the ones who will pay the price.
