Jamelle Bouie: The Worst Corruption in American History

May 15, 2026

We all know that Trump is wildly corrupt, but his most recent move is truly beyond the pale.

The president is now pursuing a $1.7 billion settlement fund — reparations, his critics might say — for January 6th defendants. People who tried to overturn an election. Several of whom, after being pardoned, got rearrested for assault and worse.

Corruption is the story of this administration. The challenge for Democrats is making sure voters understand that corruption means powerful people looting the state — not the usual misdirection about who's getting benefits they don't deserve.