A new book has emerged that exposes the ugly power collusion and corruption at the heart of American politics in Washington D.C. through a sharp progressive lens. Author Andrew Cockburn meticulously uncovers how politicians, high-ranking government officials, and defense industry moguls exchange favors across party lines, creating a swamp of corruption.
Cockburn, a renowned military and diplomatic journalist in the English-speaking world, previously served as the Washington editor for the progressive Harper’s Magazine. This latest work compiles 23 incisive columns he contributed to various publications from 2013 to 2025.
The most eye-catching section discusses the so-called tsunami of corruption generated by the recently inaugurated second Donald Trump administration in collusion with Silicon Valley tech tycoons. Major tech founders like Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos have closely allied with the administration in exchange for deregulation.
The book reveals that within just 100 days of Trump’s second term, there were already 100 cases of corrupt dealings. By August 2025, eight months into his term, the Trump family had allegedly amassed an astonishing fortune of 3.4 billion USD. During this period, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren harshly criticized the greedy reality, stating that even the White House Easter event has turned into a cash grab.
The author also scrutinizes U.S. defense policy and the incompetence of Democratic leadership. Military officials have exaggerated external threats to secure more funding and purchased expensive, flawed equipment, rendering the military inefficient. Moreover, the established Democratic leadership has suppressed internal progressive factions to maintain control, ultimately leading to a loss of support and the self-destructive decision to hand the White House back to Trump.
This book goes beyond political criticism, compellingly tracing the chains of corruption that permeate American society, including nursing home tragedies and support for drug regimes. It sharply critiques the hypocrisy of American leaders who publicly champion justice and national interest while privately pursuing only money and power. The work offers profound insights for reflecting on leadership and power structures in contemporary society, both in the U.S. and abroad.
△ “Washington Is Burning: Corruption and Lies in the Age of Trump” / Andrew Cockburn