Trump shattered ethics norms. Will voters trust Democrats to fix them?
Democrats are pushing for anti-corruption reforms in response to concerns over ethics norms shattered during the Trump administration. The article explores whether voters trust political institutions to address systemic corruption and conflicts of interest.
Why it matters
Public trust in government integrity is a central issue in American politics, influencing voter behavior and legislative priorities.
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A half-century ago, President Richard Nixon's resignation in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal shifted how Americans viewed corruption in Washington. Today, as President Trump has shattered norms around public service ethics in ways that have enriched himself and his family, politicians in both parties agree that Nixon-era scandals seem quaint.
"If Watergate happened tomorrow, it would be like a 12-hour news story. The idea that it would have taken down a presidency is crazy," Vice President Vance said in June at an event at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library.
"Watergate was like a Cub Scout prank compared to what we're living through," Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., told NPR in May.
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