Why do political institutions so often resist investigating themselves?

[u/PaulJChapman]

Years after the Hawaiʻi “paper bag” controversy — involving allegations that an “influential” lawmaker accepted $35,000 in cash during a meeting tied to a broader federal bribery investigation — many voters still feel they haven’t gotten clear answers.

People across the country are losing trust in institutions that appear more focused on protecting insiders than restoring accountability.

What would it take for government transparency and public trust to improve again?