Palantir, Congress and the ethical issue that will not go away

The controversy centers on a potential conflict of interest.

PUBLISHED MAR 23, 2025

Ethics advocates are calling for a ban on congressional stock trading to prevent potential abuses of power.

Washington D.C.: The Young Turks' Ana Kasparian delivered a scathing report shedding light on a troubling trend among US lawmakers investing in Palantir Technologies, a data analytics and defense contractor co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel. The controversy centers on the potential conflict of interest as lawmakers who influence federal contracts also hold financial stakes in the company.

Kasparian may be a liberal, but that has never stopped her and TYT co-host Cenk Uygur from calling out Democrats when they see them slacking or indulging in sketchy behavior.

Back in 2024 when Fox News host Jesse Watters called out Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for engaging in individual stock trading. Greene defended herself, claiming the trades were linked to her son’s account, an explanation similar to those given by other lawmakers. But now, disclosures reveal that Greene’s son has been actively investing in Palantir, a company poised to benefit from government privatization efforts.

According to numbers revealed by Kasparian, Greene is not alone in this endeavor. Multiple lawmakers from both parties have disclosed significant investments in Palantir, including: Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX): Up to $30,000; Rep. James Comer (R-KY): Up to $115,000; Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA): Up to $15,000; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA): Up to $15,000; Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA): Up to $30,000.

Due to reporting rules, lawmakers are not required to disclose exact amounts, only ranges. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism, with concerns that it shields lawmakers from scrutiny.

Palantir Technologies -- founded in 2003 by Peter Thiel, Alex Karp, Joe Lonsdale, Stephen Cohen, and Nathan Gettings -- specializes in big data analytics. Known for its government contracts, it has become a favorite investment among lawmakers who hold positions in committees overseeing federal agencies.

Greene and Johnson serve on the House Committee on Homeland Security, which supervises the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS has awarded contracts worth hundreds of millions to Palantir, including those for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Critics argue that lawmakers investing in companies benefiting from their decisions presents a clear conflict of interest. Members of Congress have the power to influence policies and funding that directly impact Palantir’s profitability. Given this dynamic, ethics advocates are calling for a ban on congressional stock trading to prevent potential abuses of power.

Despite bipartisan calls for reform, including legislation to restrict congressional stock trading, the practice continues. Reports indicate that 44% of House members and 54% of Senators own individual stocks.