(Part 2 of 2) Lobbying has long been a powerful force in Washington, shaping policies and influencing decisions behind closed doors. But how deep does this influence go, and what are the consequences for national security? This week, host Elisa sits down with Brody Mullins, co-author of The Wolves of K Street, to discuss the murky world of lobbying, its historical roots, and the unprecedented power wielded by today’s lobbyists. Part 2 of this two-part episode examines the role of the press in lobbying, how political fundraising pressures have allowed the lobbying industry to thrive, and whether existing laws have had any impact on influence peddling in Washington.

Brody Mullins is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and co-author of The Wolves of K Street

References:

Mullins, Brody, and Luke Mullins. The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took over Big Government. Simon & Schuster, 2024

CRS Legal Sidebar: District Court Holds That Google Unlawfully Monopolizes Online Search: Overview and Potential Remedies. Aug. 16 2024

Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)

Citizens United v. FEC

Section 230, Communications Decency Act

Honderich, Holly. “Nevada Politician Found Guilty of Murdering Reporter Jeff German.” BBC News. 29 Aug. 2024

“Vladimir Putin’s Flagship Arctic Gas Project Struggles to Lure Customers.” Financial Times. 5 Sep. 2024

Swenson, Ali. “Iran Is Accelerating Cyber Activity That Appears Meant to Influence the US Election, Microsoft Says.” AP News, 10 Aug. 2024.

“The Battle to Control the World’s Most Powerful Technology.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Sept. 2024.

BASED Politics Inc. v. Merrick Garland