Trump orders pause in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement

President Trump signed an executive order in February 2025 directing DOJ to pause enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act — the primary U.S. law prohibiting American companies and individuals from bribing foreign government officials — for 180 days pending a policy review. The FCPA has been a cornerstone of U.S. anti-corruption enforcement since 1977. Critics warned the pause would enable resumed bribery by U.S. companies and remove a key tool used to hold foreign officials accountable.