Sending a signal from the top
A final element of establishing a protection racket is about sending a “signal from the top” about what types of behavior will be tolerated and what remains off limits. Kleptocrats, like any leaders, cannot possibly monitor and enforce how each person under their supervision acts. They cannot spell out things that bend the rules explicitly either. Instead, they often send subtle signals about what the new rules of the game are.
Action 39 | Advertising that the United States is open for corruption
On February 10 and 11, 2025, within a 24-hour period, Trump sent a clear signal to graft-seekers worldwide through several actions.
An executive order paused new investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for 180 days. This sends a message to businesses operating in the US and abroad that corruption is acceptable. The EO even has a particular encouragement to those mining and refining industries "pursuing the national interest" by“gaining strategic business advantages whether in critical minerals, deep-water ports, or other key infrastructure or assets.”
Trump pardoned former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich for selling then President-elect Obama’s senate seat.
The Department of Justice tried to drop New York mayor Eric Adams’ prosecution. (He was being tried for receiving illegal gifts from the government of Turkey.)
Trump fired independent ethics watchdogs and the head of the merit systems protection board, which makes sure that federal workers are fired according to objective, apolitical rules.