Trump Signs Executive Order Halting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Enforcement for 180 Days
President Trump signed an executive order pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a landmark 1977 anti-bribery law that prohibits U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to halt new FCPA investigations and prosecutions for 180 days while developing revised enforcement guidelines. The order requires that future FCPA enforcement actions must be approved by the Attorney General and governed by new guidance prioritizing American business interests. Legal experts note that while enforcement is paused, the FCPA remains law and bribery remains illegal. The pause raises significant concerns given Trump's extensive international business interests and potential conflicts of interest, as it effectively enables corporate corruption abroad during the suspension period.
“overexpansive and unpredictable FCPA enforcement harms American economic competitiveness and national security” — Trump's justification for pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the executive order
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryThis executive order represents a critical undermining of anti-corruption enforcement with potentially far-reaching consequences. The FCPA has been a cornerstone of international anti-bribery efforts since 1977, credited with reducing corporate bribery worldwide and establishing U.S. leadership on anti-corruption norms. Pausing its enforcement sends a signal that corporate corruption abroad will be tolerated—effectively giving U.S. companies a green light to bribe foreign officials. The timing and scope raise serious conflict-of-interest concerns given Trump's international business empire, including properties and licensing deals in countries where corruption is endemic. By requiring AG approval for future enforcement and prioritizing 'American business interests' over anti-corruption principles, this order fundamentally reorients U.S. policy away from ethical governance standards that previous administrations of both parties upheld.