Combined U.S. Presidential & Inner Circle Corruption Scorecard

John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)

Corruption Score: 1 (Minimal)

• Leadership & Vision: Charismatic leader known for inspiring initiatives like the space program.
• Personal Conduct: Documented extramarital affairs, though these did not translate into governmental corruption.
• Governance: Emphasized transparency and progressive policies; personal scandals did not indicate official misdeeds.

Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Political Maneuvering: Aggressive style raised some ethical questions, especially regarding his legislative strategies.
• Vietnam War: His handling of the war has been critiqued on policy grounds.
• Governance: No evidence of systemic corruption, though his methods were sometimes ethically dubious.

Richard Nixon (1969–1974)

Corruption Score: 4 (High)

• Watergate Scandal: Involvement in espionage, cover-ups, and abuses of power led to his resignation.
• Abuse of Power: A textbook example of how corruption can erode public trust.
• Governance: Widely cited as one of the most significant cases of presidential corruption.

Gerald Ford (1974–1977)

Corruption Score: 1 (Minimal)

• Stabilizing Force: Took office in the turbulent post-Watergate period to restore public trust.
• Governance: Largely free from scandal and remembered as a caretaker leader.
• Legacy: His tenure is noted more for healing the nation than for any controversies.

Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)

Corruption Score: 1 (Minimal)

• Ethical Leadership: Focused on human rights and transparency at home and abroad.
• Governance: Despite some foreign policy challenges, maintained a clean record.
• Legacy: Carter’s commitment to reform helped him avoid major corruption scandals.

Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Economic & Foreign Policy: Credited with strong economic policies and playing a key role in ending the Cold War.
• Iran-Contra Affair: Raised ethical concerns, though Reagan himself was not directly implicated in systemic corruption.
• Governance: Overall, his administration is seen as relatively ethical despite isolated controversies.

George H.W. Bush (1989–1993)

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Ethical Record: Generally maintained a reputation for ethical governance.
• Political Maneuvering: Some controversies surfaced, but none defined his presidency.
• Legacy: More known for handling international challenges than for domestic corruption issues.

Bill Clinton (1993–2001)

Corruption Score: 3 (Moderate)

• Personal Misconduct: The Lewinsky scandal and other controversies (e.g., Whitewater) have affected his legacy.
• Governance: Despite economic success, personal scandals led to significant debates over ethical standards.
• Ethics: His term is marked by a mix of policy success and personal misconduct.

George W. Bush (2001–2009)

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Iraq War & Policies: His handling of the Iraq War and domestic decisions sparked debates.
• Governance: While his policies were controversial, there is little evidence of direct, systemic corruption.
• Legacy: His challenges were more about policy effectiveness than ethical breaches.

Barack Obama (2009–2017)

Corruption Score: 1 (Minimal)

• Transparency: Known for high ethical standards and strong transparency measures.
• Governance: Faced few controversies; his administration is held as a benchmark for clean governance.
• Legacy: Praised for maintaining integrity in a polarized political climate.

Donald Trump (2017–2021)

Corruption Score: 4 (High)

• Controversies: Faced multiple scandals including two impeachments and significant ethical concerns.
• Governance: His tenure was marked by frequent clashes over transparency and power abuse.
• Legacy: Widely debated as a period of high ethical risk and polarizing practices.

Joe Biden (2021–present)

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Early Scrutiny: Ongoing debates, particularly regarding transparency and family business ties.
• Governance: No evidence of systemic corruption to date, though his administration remains under close observation.
• Legacy: As his term progresses, further analysis will better define his legacy.

George W. Bush Administration (2001–2009)

Vice President Dick Cheney

Corruption Score: 4 (High)

• Influence & Power: Cheney’s long tenure in Washington and his expansive role in national security have raised concerns about excessive influence.
• Controversies: His approach to executive power and decision-making has been cited as emblematic of high-level corruption in government circles.
• Legacy: Remains a polarizing figure whose ethical practices continue to be debated.

Chief of Staff Andrew Card

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Administrative Role: Known primarily as a stabilizing, behind‐the‐scenes operator.
• Governance: His role focused on crisis management and policy implementation with limited personal controversies.
• Legacy: Seen as a modest figure compared to other high-profile players.

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Policy & Reputation: Credited with a strong intellectual presence, though some of her policy decisions remain contentious.
• Ethics: Despite occasional critiques, her tenure is generally rated as ethically sound compared to other figures.
• Legacy: Her influence in shaping national security policy has been both lauded and critiqued in equal measure.

Barack Obama Administration (2009–2017)

Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Political Tactics: Known for his aggressive political style, Emanuel’s approach earned both praise and criticism.
• Management Style: His methods raised questions but did not translate into systemic corruption.
• Legacy: Remembered as a decisive if sometimes polarizing operator within the administration.

Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett

Corruption Score: 1 (Minimal)

• Ethical Leadership: Frequently credited with emphasizing transparency and ethical standards.
• Influence: Played a key role in shaping policy with little evidence of personal misconduct.
• Legacy: Her tenure is noted for a strong commitment to integrity.

National Security Advisor Susan Rice

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Controversial Moments: Faced scrutiny over her role in various foreign policy decisions.
• Governance: Although her decisions were occasionally questioned, no systemic corruption was found.
• Legacy: Maintained a reputation as a capable if occasionally controversial advisor.

Donald Trump Administration (2017–2021)

Chief of Staff Reince Priebus

Corruption Score: 3 (Moderate)

• Administrative Challenges: His tenure was marked by rapid turnover and internal disagreements.
• Controversies: His role highlighted the administration’s broader struggles with transparency and accountability.
• Legacy: Viewed as a figure caught in an administration rife with controversy.

Senior Advisor Jared Kushner

Corruption Score: 4 (High)

• Conflict of Interest Concerns: Kushner’s extensive business interests and policy influence led to persistent ethical debates.
• Influence: His closeness to the president amplified scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest.
• Legacy: Remains one of the most controversial figures for his perceived overreach and opaque dealings.

Chief Strategist Steve Bannon

Corruption Score: 4 (High)

• Ideological Battles: Bannon’s role in shaping the administration’s direction was marked by polarizing, often extreme, views.
• Controversies: His aggressive tactics and ideological stance contributed to ethical concerns about the administration’s overall approach.
• Legacy: Continues to be a lightning rod for debates over corruption and accountability in modern governance.

Joe Biden Administration (2021–Present)

Chief of Staff Ron Klain

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Administrative Oversight: Klain’s role emphasizes careful management, though occasional critiques of the administration’s transparency persist.
• Governance: Known more for his efforts to stabilize the office than for any personal ethical lapses.
• Legacy: His performance is being closely watched as the administration evolves.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan

Corruption Score: 2 (Low)

• Policy Integrity: Sullivan has maintained a reputation for thoughtful policy formulation despite the high-stakes environment.
• Ethics: While facing the pressures of modern national security challenges, his record shows few signs of malfeasance.
• Legacy: Seen as a steady hand in a tumultuous time.

Press Secretary (e.g., Jen Psaki/Successor)

Corruption Score: 1 (Minimal)

• Transparency & Communication: Tasked with maintaining the administration’s public image, this role is less associated with personal controversy.
• Governance: The office is generally viewed as a communications function with minimal direct ethical risk.
• Legacy: Remains a key point of public accountability without significant scandal.