October 20, 2026 · Corruption, Ethics & Self-Dealing
· Investigative report
Well supported
ProPublica: FBI's Trump-Era Purge Ended a Bribery Investigation Into Sens. Graham and Clyburn
ProPublica reported Oct. 20, 2026, that Trump-era purges of the FBI and DOJ's public-corruption units let a bribery probe into Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., die without charges. The claims trace to Navatek's ex-CEO Martin Kao, convicted of campaign-finance fraud, who told agents he routinely bribed officials; he said Graham agreed at a 2020 dinner to steer a $10 million Navy contract for a $100,000 pledge, and Clyburn sought the same deal.
Neither lawmaker was named a formal subject, and both deny wrongdoing: Graham's office called the claims "simply false" and said the donations were returned; Clyburn's office said he would not be swayed by "an imprisoned fraudster." ProPublica reports DOJ ordered its anti-corruption section to stop new cases after Trump's 2025 return, and FBI Director Kash Patel purged the bureau's Washington corruption unit; the lead agent on the case was fired in October 2025.
No charges were filed. ProPublica says the case is dead; the FBI called Kao's claims "half baked," disputing only his credibility.
Neither lawmaker was named a formal subject, and both deny wrongdoing: Graham's office called the claims "simply false" and said the donations were returned; Clyburn's office said he would not be swayed by "an imprisoned fraudster." ProPublica reports DOJ ordered its anti-corruption section to stop new cases after Trump's 2025 return, and FBI Director Kash Patel purged the bureau's Washington corruption unit; the lead agent on the case was fired in October 2025.
No charges were filed. ProPublica says the case is dead; the FBI called Kao's claims "half baked," disputing only his credibility.
Sources
- How Trump's FBI Purge Saved Lindsey Graham and James Clyburn From a Bribery Investigation — ProPublica, 2026-10-20