Will Trump's Justice Department rescue Messi's Argentina?
Politics — 2026-07-11 18:15:00 — www.politico.com
After returning to office last year, President Donald Trump paused for several months all enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a U.S. law that makes it a crime to bribe foreign officials overseas. Trump previously called it a “horrible law,” a stance that has fueled confusion about the administration’s willingness to use American courts and law enforcement to pursue corruption cases that extend beyond U.S. borders.
This shift in policy comes as the FBI and at least three Justice Department prosecutors are reportedly investigating alleged corruption involving Argentina’s national soccer body and a Florida-based company, TourProdEnter LLC, which handled promotional deals for the Argentine Football Association. The investigation, confirmed by both Argentina’s La Nacion newspaper and the Miami Herald, has not yet resulted in any charges, and those linked to TourProdEnter have denied wrongdoing.
Trump’s criticism of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act stands in contrast to previous administrations, which used the statute to prosecute international corruption cases, including a major probe into FIFA that began more than a decade ago. That investigation, launched under President Barack Obama, led to a dozen convictions and the toppling of FIFA’s leadership. Trump’s administration, however, has deprioritized such cases, with Justice Department officials citing other priorities like counterterrorism and combating violent gangs.
The ongoing probe into Argentina’s soccer operations raises questions about whether the Trump administration will continue to pursue cases with limited U.S. connections, or if new evidence has emerged that aligns with current Justice Department policy. The FBI has declined to comment on the specifics of the case.
Trump’s open disdain for the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and his administration’s pause in enforcement mark a significant departure from the U.S. government’s previous approach to international corruption. As investigations continue, the administration’s stance leaves uncertainty about the future of cross-border anti-corruption efforts.