Fighting Corruption is Core National Security Interest, Biden Says

WASHINGTON - The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is formally establishing the fight against corruption as a core national security interest. 

Biden on Thursday issued his first national security memorandum, outlining his anti-corruption agenda.  “Corruption threatens United States national security, economic equity, global anti-poverty and development efforts, and democracy itself,” the president said in his directive. “But by effectively preventing and countering corruption and demonstrating the advantages of transparent and accountable governance, we can secure a critical advantage for the United States and other democracies.”  Biden’s memorandum is important because it serves as a formal notification from the president “that he expects all relevant federal departments and agencies to up their anti-corruption game in very specific ways,” a senior administration official told reporters on a briefing call Thursday.