Mar-a-Lago Members and Veterans Affairs Decision-Making
What happened
promisedocumented Trump campaigned on an ethics-reform plan framed as draining the swamp in Washington.
- Roll Call Factbase: Donald Trump Vlog: Self Funding2016-01-27 · Full transcript; statement that the campaign was totally self-funded
actiondocumented Trump publicly identified Isaac Perlmutter and other private citizens as people he and VA would consult.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Private Citizens' Involvement in Decision-Making at the Department of Veterans Affairs2020-05-04 · Purpose, scope and timing of private citizens' interactions with VA, 2016-2018
outcomedocumented GAO documented the scope and time frames of their interactions with VA officials between 2016 and 2018.
- ProPublica: The Shadow Rulers of the VA2018-08-07 · FOIA emails, roles, policy contacts and trio's response
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Private Citizens' Involvement in Decision-Making at the Department of Veterans Affairs2020-05-04 · Purpose, scope and timing of private citizens' interactions with VA, 2016-2018
limitationdocumented The record does not show that Mar-a-Lago membership purchased access or that every proposal was implemented.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Private Citizens' Involvement in Decision-Making at the Department of Veterans Affairs2020-05-04 · Purpose, scope and timing of private citizens' interactions with VA, 2016-2018
People and organizations
- Veterans receiving VA servicesaffected party
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairsaffected party
- Isaac Perlmutter, Bruce Moskowitz and Marc Shermanbeneficiary
Assessment
Trump connected private associates from his club to VA leadership, and the resulting advisory channel operated outside ordinary federal appointment and transparency structures.