Daily Beast - President Donald Trump has instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to pause prosecutions of companies that bribe foreign government officials to win business. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been “stretched beyond proper bounds and abused in a manner that harms the interests of the United States,” hurting American competitiveness, Trump wrote in an executive order signed Monday.
“It’s going to mean a lot more business for America,” he told reporters while signing the order in the Oval Office on Monday, according to Reuters. He has wanted to strike down the law since his first term in office.
The new executive order directs Bondi to spend 180 days reviewing all current FCPA investigations and enforcement actions against American companies, and issue a set of guidelines and practices that “prioritize American interests.” She can then extend the review period for another 180 days at her discretion.
“Future FCPA investigations and enforcement actions will be governed by this new guidance and must be approved by the attorney general,” the order said.
The order’s legality was not immediately clear. Generally, the Constitution requires the president to “take care that the laws” passed by Congress “be faithfully executed.” Presidents do have some enforcement discretion, but they cannot override laws, according to the ACLU.
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