Alright, let’s not sugarcoat it—the world of politics is messy as fuck, and some conservative U.S. politicians have taken sleaze and controversy to a whole new level. From corruption scandals to moral hypocrisy that’d make your grandma faint, these folks have left their greasy fingerprints all over the political landscape. Here’s the lowdown on the top 20 sleaziest and most controversial conservative politicians, and why they’ve earned a spot on this hall of shame.

Starting with the OG sleazeball, Tricky Dick himself. Nixon’s Watergate scandal wasn’t just a fuck-up; it was a masterclass in political corruption. Wiretapping opponents, authorizing break-ins, and then obstructing justice to cover his ass? Classic. The scandal led to over 40 government officials being indicted or jailed, and Nixon resigning in disgrace. He turned the word “gate” into a suffix for every future scandal, cementing his legacy as the granddaddy of political sleaze.

Nixon’s VP didn’t let him hog all the corruption. Agnew resigned after being caught taking bribes during his time as Maryland’s governor and even as Vice President. He literally accepted envelopes stuffed with cash while serving in the White House. Imagine being so brazenly corrupt that even the Nixon administration couldn’t tolerate you.

Newt’s entire career is a case study in hypocrisy. While leading the charge to impeach Bill Clinton over an affair, Gingrich was screwing around with his own mistress. Add to that his 84 ethics violations as Speaker of the House and his financial ties to shady donors, and you’ve got a man who treats the word “morals” like a punchline.

Oh boy, where to start? From paying hush money to a porn star, to inciting an insurrection, to running a hotel that doubled as a GOP piggy bank, Trump has redefined the term “controversial.” He faced two impeachments, numerous lawsuits, and accusations of everything from tax fraud to sexual assault. Love him or hate him, the man’s scandals are their own genre.

Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has been accused of everything from sex trafficking a minor to snorting coke with escorts. His loud-mouthed frat-bro energy and cringe-worthy antics, like Venmo payments with sex-related memos, make him one of the sleaziest figures in modern politics. Whether or not he’s convicted, his career is a fucking circus.

Roy Moore, the Alabama judge and Senate candidate, was accused of sexually pursuing teenagers while he was in his 30s. Instead of bowing out gracefully, he doubled down, claiming he was being persecuted for his faith. His campaign’s collapse was a slow-motion trainwreck, as Republicans scrambled to distance themselves from his toxic brand of morality.

The Senate Minority Leader isn’t sleazy in the sex scandal way, but his ruthless obstructionism and corporate ties make him controversial as hell. From blocking Supreme Court nominees to orchestrating massive tax cuts for the wealthy, McConnell’s political maneuvers often prioritize power and money over people. If there’s a swamp, Mitch is swimming in it.

Craig, a senator from Idaho, was caught in an undercover sting operation in a men’s bathroom, allegedly soliciting sex. This from a guy who consistently voted against LGBTQ rights. Craig’s excuse? He claimed he had a “wide stance” when using public restrooms. The hypocrisy and absurdity of it all made him a national punchline.

“The Hammer” was a Texas congressman who got nailed for campaign finance violations. DeLay funneled corporate money into Texas legislative races and was convicted of money laundering. While his conviction was later overturned on appeal, his reputation as a corrupt political operator was cemented.

While not sleazy in the criminal sense, Palin’s brand of controversy came from her “Drill, Baby, Drill” populism, her disastrous media interviews, and a slew of family dramas that often overshadowed her political career. Her resignation as Alaska’s governor mid-term didn’t help her image, leaving many to question her commitment to public service.

Vitter’s “family values” schtick took a hit when his name popped up in the D.C. Madam’s prostitution scandal. Nothing says “conservative values” like paying for hookers while preaching morality. Despite the scandal, he managed to cling to his Senate seat, proving that shamelessness can be a political asset.

The South Carolina governor disappeared for days to “hike the Appalachian Trail”—except he was actually in Argentina banging his mistress. Sanford’s tearful press conference admitting to the affair became the stuff of political legend. Somehow, he later managed a political comeback, because why the fuck not?

Cunningham took bribes like a pro, raking in millions in exchange for defense contracts. The California congressman’s corruption was so egregious that he was sentenced to over eight years in prison. His downfall included tearfully admitting his crimes, which were detailed in a fucking price list he kept for bribes.

This Tennessee congressman—a pro-life doctor—pressured his mistresses to get abortions. Court documents revealed he had multiple affairs with patients and co-workers while prescribing them drugs. If hypocrisy were an Olympic sport, DesJarlais would’ve snagged gold.

A lobbyist rather than a politician, Abramoff’s scandalous career still rocked the GOP. He bribed members of Congress, defrauded Native American tribes, and epitomized D.C. corruption. His downfall was so epic it inspired books, documentaries, and even a feature film.

Cruz’s controversies are more “cringe” than criminal. From fleeing to Cancun during a Texas freeze to letting Trump insult his wife and still kissing his ass, Cruz’s reputation is a flaming dumpster fire. His shameless self-promotion and tone-deaf antics make him a magnet for mockery.

America’s Mayor went from 9/11 hero to Trump’s personal conspiracy clown. From melting hair dye to raiding Four Seasons Total Landscaping, Rudy’s career is a trainwreck of epic proportions. His legal troubles, including defamation lawsuits, are the cherry on top of his chaotic legacy.

Trump’s former campaign chair was convicted of tax fraud, money laundering, and witness tampering. Manafort’s ties to shady foreign oligarchs make him the poster boy for swamp creatures. His lavish lifestyle, funded by dirty money, included custom suits worth more than most people’s cars.

The former Speaker of the House was sentenced to prison for a financial crime linked to covering up sexual misconduct allegations. Hastert’s crimes involved paying hush money to conceal his abuse of minors during his time as a wrestling coach. His downfall was as dramatic as it was disgusting.

And finally, we’ve got the man who lied about everything—from his education to his work history to being Jewish (or as he said, “Jew-ish”). Santos’ con artistry is so bold it’s almost impressive… almost. His audacity has turned him into a political meme, but the damage to trust in politics is no fucking joke.

These politicians represent the darker, sleazier side of conservative politics. Whether it’s sex scandals, corruption, or sheer fucking hypocrisy, they’ve all left a mark—and not in a good way. Politics is messy, but these folks take it to a whole new level of WTF.