Walgreens paid $4.5 million to California employees as part of a settlement over wage theft claims. This incident, noted by observers as receiving minimal media scrutiny, underscores ongoing concerns regarding the company’s labor practices and treatment of workers.

The OpenSecrets profile reveals that in the 2024 cycle, Walgreens Boots Alliance contributed approximately $1.38M in political donations and spent around $3.43M on lobbying. Furthermore, a significant proportion of their lobbyists have previously held government positions, highlighting a revolving door that raises concerns about undue political influence and potential alignment with policies favoring authoritarian interests.

Walgreens PAC contributed $238,000 to federal candidates during the 2023-2024 cycle, a move that has raised concerns about the company’s role in channeling corporate funds into political campaigns. Such contributions are viewed as a means to influence policy and potentially support candidates with authoritarian tendencies, thereby challenging democratic accountability.

In 2021, a viral video capturing a shoplifting incident at a San Francisco Walgreens was co-opted into a political narrative. The incident was used to frame retail theft as part of a 'surge' linked to progressive policies during a recall effort against progressive D.A. Chesa Boudin. Walgreens, which had announced plans to close 200 stores two years earlier, later acknowledged on an earnings call that it may have overblown the threat of retail theft.

A shareholder resolution calls for increased transparency in Walgreens' direct and indirect lobbying activities, highlighting a significant opacity compared to peer companies. The disclosure notes that Walgreens spent millions on lobbying without providing detailed public reporting, raising concerns over potential corporate complicity in influencing legislation that may support authoritarian practices.