Trump Signs Order Halting FCPA Enforcement

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to halt the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a law that prohibits American companies from bribing foreign officials. Trump argues that the FCPA places U.S. businesses at a competitive disadvantage internationally, as bribery is allegedly common practice among foreign competitors. The order mandates a pause on prosecutions until new guidelines are established, aiming to align enforcement with U.S. economic interests and national security. Transparency International and other watchdogs have criticized the move, warning it undermines the U.S.'s leadership in combating global corruption. This decision aligns with other recent actions by Trump to relax ethics enforcement, including pardoning former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, convicted for public corruption. Critics fear the order could diminish the country's moral authority and its commitment to fighting corruption.