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The Leah Files scores fourteen administrations on a published corruption model

Reporting and findings

  1. reported

    The Leah Files published a corruption scoring model on 2026-09-16 that rates fourteen administrations from Eisenhower to the present out of one hundred points across eight weighted criteria, scoring a proven pass from convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings and a second pass that adds documentary reporting at sixty per cent weight. It places Trump's second term highest at 76 by month twenty, 69 on the proven pass alone, against 53 for his first term and 41 for Nixon.

Summary and current status

One outlet's scoring model, published with its criteria and weights

People and organizations

Figures

  1. Biden standard score8 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Biden administration, 2021-25
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  2. Bush 41 standard score13 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Bush 41 administration, 1989-93
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  3. Bush 43 standard score23 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Bush 43 administration, 2001-09
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  4. Carter standard score2 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Carter administration, 1977-81
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  5. Clinton standard score22 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Clinton administration, 1993-2001
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  6. Eisenhower standard score6 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Eisenhower administration, 1953-61
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  7. Ford standard score2 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Ford administration, 1974-77
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  8. Johnson standard score17 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Johnson administration, 1963-69
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  9. Kennedy standard score10 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Kennedy administration, 1961-63
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  10. Nixon standard score41 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Nixon administration, 1969-74
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  11. Obama standard score8 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Obama administration, 2009-17
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  12. Reagan standard score21 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Reagan administration, 1981-89
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  13. Trump I standard score53 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Trump I administration, 2017-21
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  14. Trump II standard score76 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Trump II administration, 2025-
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.
  15. Trump II proven-only score69 of 100 points
    Calculation details
    Basis
    Observed
    Population
    The Trump II administration, 2025-, proven pass only
    Period
    2026-09-16 to 2026-09-16
    As of
    2026-09-16
    Method
    Eight criteria totalling one hundred points: enrichment of the leader and family (20), bribery and pay-to-play (15), disabling detection institutions (15), obstruction and prosecutorial weaponisation (12), nepotism, press pressure and election manipulation (10 each), and self-protective pardons or impunity (8). Each is scored zero to ten against fixed anchors, where four means senior officials were involved and formal findings exist, eight means the conduct was directed by or for the leader at scale, and ten means the state is organised around it. The model scores twice: a proven pass using convictions, guilty pleas, court rulings and inspector-general or GAO findings, then a second pass adding documentary reporting, sworn testimony and congressional letters, weighted at sixty per cent of the difference. This figure is the proven pass alone, before reported evidence is added.
    Uncertainty
    One outlet's scoring model, not an adjudicated finding and not a count of charges or convictions. The criteria weights and the zero-to-ten anchors are the model's own editorial judgements, and no independent body publishes a comparable cross-administration scale. Scores for administrations before the present one are the model's retrospective assessment. The Trump II figure is the model's month-twenty reading, not a full-term result.