The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
Records show agents prepared a bribery probe into Collins-linked donations and contracts before a Trump purge ended it.
- FBI agents sought to launch a sweeping bribery investigation into Senator Susan Collins in 2024 based on defense contractor Martin Kao's confession, but the probe halted after President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
- Facing years in prison, Kao began cooperating with FBI agents and prosecutors who prosecuted him, spending three days in Honolulu detailing how his operation worked and providing a 50-page document naming dozens of members of Congress involved in cash-for-contracts deals.
- In a 60-slide presentation, FBI agents highlighted donations Kao made to Collins in 2018 before she placed $8 million in research funding into the federal budget; Kao also sent around $33,000 through illegal straw donors in 2019.
- After Trump returned to the White House, he purged the Department of Justice and FBI; one agent who took Kao's confession was pushed out in October 2025 for investigating Trump's 2020 election efforts.
- The investigation sparked by Kao's revelations is dead, with dozens of agents and prosecutors quitting as the Public Integrity Section collapsed; Trump's Justice Department no longer pursues public corruption, according to former officials.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Collins Accused Of Steering Defense Deal To Donor
ProPublica reports: In the final weeks of 2019, a top fundraiser for Sen. Susan Collins walked into a perilous meeting at a Corner Bakery in Washington, D.C. For the first time in her two-decade Senate career, the Republican lawmaker from Maine was in danger of losing her seat. President Donald Trump’s dismal approval ratings were … The post Collins Accused Of Steering Defense Deal To Donor appeared first on Joe.My.God..
The FBI anti-corruption squad was circling Susan Collins — until Trump got in the way • Maine Morning Star
In the final weeks of 2019, a top fundraiser for Sen. Susan Collins walked into a perilous meeting at a Corner Bakery in Washington, D.C. For the first time in her two-decade Senate career, the Republican lawmaker from Maine was in danger of losing her seat. President Donald Trump’s dismal approval ratings were dragging her […]
Corruption alert: Trump saved Susan Collins from sweeping FBI investigation
In the final weeks of 2019, a top fundraiser for Sen. Susan Collins walked into a perilous meeting at a Corner Bakery in Washington, D.C.For the first time in her two-decade Senate career, the Republican lawmaker from Maine was in danger of losing her seat. President Donald Trump’s dismal approval ratings were dragging her down in the polls, and she was falling behind her likely 2020 Democratic challenger in fundraising.Scott Reed, head of the C…
FBI anti-corruption squad was circling Susan Collins — until Trump got in the way
In the final weeks of 2019, a top fundraiser for Sen. Susan Collins walked into a perilous meeting at a Corner Bakery in Washington, D.C.For the first time in her two-decade Senate career, the Republican lawmaker from Maine was in danger of losing her seat. President Donald Trump’s dismal approval ratings were dragging her down in the polls, and she was falling behind her likely 2020 Democratic challenger in fundraising.Scott Reed, head of the C…
The FBI anti-corruption squad was circling Susan Collins — until Trump got in the way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump administration dismantled the unit handling the inquiry.
ProPublica
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump administration dismantled the unit handling the inquiry.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
