Around the globe, and especially in developing countries with weak government institutions, leaders frequently become enmeshed in scandals for allegedly mixing personal business with their public duties. Many cases involve friends or relatives who use official ties to land sweetheart deals.
Recent examples included Argentina under the Kirchner dynasty, South Africa under President Jacob Zuma and Thailand under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In South Korea, President Park Geun-hye faces impeachment over charges that a family confidant used their relationship to extort millions of dollars from businesses.
“Over and over again, you see this pattern of populist leaders, often democratically elected, who use the power of office to enrich themselves, their families and their cronies,” Stephenson said.
In that context, Stephenson said the White House’s recent behavior was “extraordinarily and depressingly familiar.”
Join the conversation as a VIP Member