Where now for US corruption ranking?
US President Donald Trump points to journalist Jim Acosta from CNN during a post-election press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2018. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)
Perhaps surprisingly for a country that ranks in the top 20 of our Corruption Perceptions Index, corruption was a big part of the story told about this week’s US midterm elections writes Transparency International.
On the one hand, allegations of voter suppression highlighted deep-running concerns over political corruption. Last year, our US Corruption Barometer revealed that more than a third of Americans believe that most or all members of Congress and other government officials are corrupt (the White House topped the poll).
In New Jersey, a Senator who narrowly avoided being convicted for a major corruption scandal last year is projected to win re-election.
As many commentators noted, the results also mean that the president and his circle will now come under greater scrutiny over much-discussed corruption allegations.
The enormous influence of the US means that the tone set in Washington is critical for the global fight against corruption. Sadly, whether it is threatening independent oversight of an investigation into the president, attacking the media or stepping back from enforcement against companies involved in corruption and fraud, that leadership role is showing signs of slipping.
Will the new and returning politicians help the US restore its lead?
