In the past it really was legal for politicians to insider trade but that was ostensibly rolled back by the STOCK act: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-signs-

In the past it really was legal for politicians to insider trade but that was ostensibly rolled back by the STOCK act: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-signs-stock-act-to-ban-congressional-insider-trading/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-signs-stock-act-to-ban-co... I guess you could argue that there are still avenues to wiggle around the new rules but at least the width of the corridor was reduced.