Peter Overby

A 48-page indictment detailing how Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., and his wife diverted campaign money for family trips and household expenses was released by the Department of Justice on Tuesday.

The Trump campaign says former White House staffer Omarosa Manigault Newman broke a nondisclosure agreement. But an employment lawyer says, "She's going to be able to continue with what she's doing."

Kavanugh's decisions have effectively pulled the campaign finance system rightward, letting in more money with less regulation.

Noah Bookbinder, of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said the case "closes one of the loopholes that has allowed the system to get out of control."

A group of high-profile lobbyists and lawyers who worked for Ukraine's former pro-Russian government maybe under investigation for violating a law requiring lobbyists for foreign governments to register with the U.S. government.

As a federal appeals judge, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh upheld some campaign finance laws while slamming their underlying principles.

A federal judge has rejected a motion from the Department of Justice to dismiss the suit. The lawsuit alleges Trump's businesses, especially his hotel in D.C., violate the Constitution.

The Trump administration has weakened a donor disclosure rule for tax-exempt groups, possibly letting more foreign cash into U.S. politics — and complicating the confirmation of a new IRS commissioner.

Advocates say it's a First Amendment issue. Critics say it's opening the door to secret money from foreign sources.

Congressional seats continue to lean further in the direction of Democratic candidates, as donors give unusual support to challengers.

"It's going to take different leadership at the top," said Don Fox, a former acting director of the Office of Government Ethics. "And that means a different occupant in the White House."

Former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt became the subject of at least a dozen investigations. Some advocates argue ethics standards in government need to be rebuilt.

Conservatives immediately put up ads supporting the nominee-to-be, while a liberal group aims to make the Supreme Court decision to uphold Obamacare part of the debate.

"On their phone, on their desktop, on their laptop, on their tablets, however they are seeing information, they're entitled to know where it's coming from," said FEC Vice Chair Ellen Weintraub

After two days of hearings, the Federal Election Commission is a bit closer to ending anonymous funding for online pro- and anti-candidate ads. But that's just one portion of the political ads online.

At least eight funds now exist to help Trump administration aides and allies pay legal bills. But there are few rules to promote transparency or avoid conflicts of interest.

One of Pruitt's closest political allies in Congress said he would call for the EPA chief to step down if his ethical scandals don't stop.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the conflict between Trump's foreign-policy decisions and his business ventures "epitomizes why the founders put that emoluments clause into the Constitution."

The aide said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt asked for help procuring a mattress while he was apartment hunting. Federal ethics rules prohibit staff from doing private work for their superiors.

The FEC has been wrestling with questions about foreign donors and possible election interference since 2011. It's not making any progress.