Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a progressive nonprofit 501(c)(3) watchdog organization dedicated to upholding U.S. government ethics, accountability, and investigating corruption. Founded in 2003 by Norman L. Eisen and Melanie Sloan, CREW emerged as a liberal counterweight to conservative watchdog groups such as Judicial Watch, aiming to expose ethics violations, corruption among government officials and institutions, and the undue influence of money in politics. The organization engages in legal actions, investigative reporting/research, and advocacy to hold those in power accountable, including filing lawsuits, submitting Freedom of Information Act requests, and partnering with other entities to promote transparency and democratic integrity. Over its two decades of operation, CREW has targeted high-profile cases involving conflicts of interest, campaign finance abuses, and executive branch misconduct, including the notable CREW v. Trump case alleging emoluments clause violations by former President Donald Trump through foreign payments to his properties. It has also pursued recent legal challenges against the Trump-Vance administration's proposed national citizenship database for privacy and voter roll risks, represented in coalitions with groups like Democracy Forward. CREW's work extends to reducing the role of dark money in elections and scrutinizing executive branch actions, often criticizing both Democratic and Republican administrations but with a focus on progressive priorities. Leadership at CREW has seen transitions, with Melanie Sloan as initial executive director until 2017, followed by Noah Bookbinder who served as president until stepping down in January after a decade, succeeded by interim president Donald K. Sherman as executive director and chief counsel. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CREW has grown into a leading voice in ethics reform, influencing policy discussions and legal precedents through public education, litigation, and collaboration with journalists and other nonprofits, emphasizing the preservation of democratic institutions amid rising political polarization. Critics, particularly from conservative circles, have accused CREW of partisan bias due to its origins and funding ties to Democratic-aligned donors, though the organization maintains its nonpartisan commitment to ethics enforcement. CREW's work has included investigations into figures like former Presidents Trump and Biden's administrations, as well as congressional ethics lapses, solidifying its role in the broader network of influence monitoring and government oversight. CREW operates primarily through legal and investigative efforts, representing coalitions in lawsuits against executive actions and filing FOIA requests to uncover misconduct. With a staff of ethics lawyers and investigators based in Washington, D.C., CREW maintains a nonpartisan facade but is widely recognized for its progressive leaning and focus on issues affecting Democratic priorities. Financially supported by individual donations, foundation grants, and membership contributions, CREW has grown from a small startup to a leading voice in government accountability, with over 20 years of operations. It has faced no major legal controversies itself but has been criticized by conservative outlets for perceived partisan bias in its targeting of Republican officials. CREW also operates a related 501(c)(4) arm for more direct advocacy, amplifying its influence in policy debates.