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Politics

Holding Political Actors Accountable

Wisconsin’s Legislative Maps Are Bizarre, but Are They Illegal?

Wisconsin’s gerrymandering case has garnered national attention. But a little-explored aspect of the suit — the pervasive presence of “Swiss cheese” districts — could have huge ramifications for the outcome.

by Megan O’Matz, graphics by Lucas Waldron,

A Texas Billionaire’s Associates Are Trying to Sink a School Tax Election via Their Dark Money Nonprofit

Tim Dunn’s public policy groups have helped ensure that tax hike language is attached to school bonds in the state. Now, that language is being used to undercut support for a bond in his hometown of Midland.

by Jeremy Schwartz and Dan Keemahill,

Friends of the Court

We Don’t Talk About Leonard

The conservative legal movement in the United States is more powerful than ever. One largely unknown man has played a significant role in pushing the American judiciary to the right: Leonard Leo.

by Andrea Bernstein, Andy Kroll and Ilya Marritz,

The Biden Interview: The President Talks About the Supreme Court, Threats to Democracy and Trump’s Vow to Exact Retribution

In a sit-down conversation with ProPublica, Biden discusses Kevin McCarthy’s “terrible bargain,” the fear of change that drives threats to democracy and the Supreme Court’s need for an ethics policy.

by John Harwood for ProPublica,

Featured Reporters

Portrait of Justin Elliott Justin Elliott
Portrait of Robert Faturechi Robert Faturechi
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Portrait of Marilyn W. Thompson Marilyn W. Thompson

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Friends of the Court

Senators Ask Billionaire Paul Singer and Power Broker Leonard Leo for Full Accounting of Gifts to Supreme Court Justices

The letters cite ProPublica’s reporting on an undisclosed private jet flight and Alaska fishing vacation provided to Justice Samuel Alito.

by Justin Elliott, Joshua Kaplan and Alex Mierjeski,

Former Kentucky Secretary of State Faces Ethics Charges

Alison Lundergan Grimes, a onetime Democratic rising star and subject of a ProPublica series, is accused of using state resources for her political advantage.

by Carson Kessler,

Inside Trump’s VA

Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Buddies Tried to Get the VA to Sell Access to Veterans’ Medical Records

A congressional investigation prompted by ProPublica’s reporting found wealthy civilians with no U.S. government or military experience pursued a plan to monetize veterans’ medical data.

by Isaac Arnsdorf,

Series

Dominion Energy’s Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center.

Series: Power Play : The Influence of Virginia’s Biggest Utility

Series: At a Great Price : The True Cost of the Sears Headquarters Deal

Series: Desperation Town : How Youngstown Gave Itself Away for the Promise of Jobs

Series: Big Jim : West Virginia’s Conflicted Governor

Series: The Real Bosses of New Jersey : How Unelected Officials Run Your Government

Series: The Bad Bet : How Illinois Bet on Video Gambling and Lost

Series: A User’s Guide to Democracy : Congress Works For You. Here’s How to Be a Better Boss.

Series: The Money Game : Tracking the Illinois Governor’s Race

Series: Politic-IL Insider : Analysis of Illinois’ Political Issues and Personalities

Series: Free the Files : Help Unlock Election Spending

Series: Buying Your Vote : Dark Money and Big Data

378 stories published since 2016

With Shutdown Looming, Biden Calls Out Speaker McCarthy for a “Terrible Bargain” With MAGA Republicans

by John Harwood for ProPublica,

Close to 100,000 Voter Registrations Were Challenged in Georgia — Almost All by Just Six Right-Wing Activists

by Doug Bock Clark, photography by Cheney Orr for ProPublica,

Senators Ask Billionaire Paul Singer and Power Broker Leonard Leo for Full Accounting of Gifts to Supreme Court Justices

by Justin Elliott, Joshua Kaplan and Alex Mierjeski,

Wisconsin Republicans Sowed Distrust Over Elections. Now They May Push Out the State’s Top Election Official.

by Megan O’Matz,

Texas Public Records Transparency Bill That Got Lost Amid GOP Infighting Finally Headed to Governor’s Desk

by Vianna Davila,

Texas Bill to Increase Transparency in Public Records Law Left in Limbo Despite Passing Legislature

by Vianna Davila,

Clyburn’s Role in South Carolina Redistricting May Be Examined as Supreme Court Hears Racial Gerrymandering Case

by Marilyn W. Thompson,

Trio of Texas Churches Donated to Political Candidate Despite Clear IRS Prohibition

by Jessica Priest and Jeremy Schwartz,

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Runs for Senate Amid Stacks of Unpaid Bills

by Ken Ward Jr., Mountain State Spotlight,

How Rep. James Clyburn Protected His District at a Cost to Black Democrats

by Marilyn W. Thompson; Photography and video by Cheney Orr for ProPublica,

Two Republicans Kicked Off County Election Board in North Carolina for Failing to Certify Results

by Doug Bock Clark,

Arizona Child Welfare Director Dismissed Amid GOP Attacks Speaks Out

by Eli Hager,

From Penis Cookies to Spying: A Growing List of Allegations at Anchorage City Hall

by Kyle Hopkins and Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News,

It Was Good to Be Friends With the Mayor. Then the Investigations Began.

by Kyle Hopkins and Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News,

Nevada’s New Governor Vilified Lobbyist’s Influence in COVID Lab Scandal, Then Asked Him to Help With Budget

by Anjeanette Damon,

Conservative Activist Poured Millions Into Groups Seeking to Influence Supreme Court on Elections and Discrimination

by Andy Kroll, ProPublica, and Andrew Perez and Aditi Ramaswami, The Lever,

Churches Are Breaking the Law by Endorsing in Elections, Experts Say. The IRS Looks the Other Way.

by Jeremy Schwartz and Jessica Priest,

Tell Us How Religious Organizations in Your Area Involve Themselves in Elections

by Jessica Priest and Jeremy Schwartz,

Greg Abbott’s Executive Power Play

by Perla Trevizo and Marilyn W. Thompson,

Tim Ryan: The Working-Class-Jobs Candidate in the Era of Resentment

by Alec MacGillis,

Election Deniers Failed to Hand Wisconsin to Trump but Have Paved the Way for Future GOP Success

by Megan O’Matz,

How to Vote in Person or by Mail

by Karim Doumar and Cynthia Gordy Giwa,

Congress Works for You. Here’s How to Be a Better Boss.

by ProPublica,

Will the Jan. 6 Hearings Change Anyone’s Mind?

by Stephen Engelberg,

Casinos Pled Poverty to Get a Huge Tax Break. Atlantic City Is Paying the Price.

by Alison Burdo, The Press of Atlantic City,

New Jersey Officials Refused to Provide the Numbers Behind New Casino Tax Breaks. So We Did the Math.

by Alison Burdo, The Press of Atlantic City,

The Hypnotherapist and Failed Politician Who Helped Fuel the Never-Ending Hunt for Election Fraud in Wisconsin

by Megan O’Matz,

Building the “Big Lie”: Inside the Creation of Trump’s Stolen Election Myth

by Doug Bock Clark, Alexandra Berzon and Kirsten Berg,

What Increasingly Partisan and Venomous Wisconsin School Board Races Reveal About American Elections

by Megan O’Matz,

Former Kentucky Secretary of State Faces Ethics Charges

by Carson Kessler,

The Billionaires Tax Isn’t New

by Jesse Eisinger,

Burr’s Brother-in-Law Called Stock Broker, One Minute After Getting Off Phone With Senator

by Robert Faturechi,

Oath Keepers in the State House: How a Militia Movement Took Root in the Republican Mainstream

by Isaac Arnsdorf,

Top Trump Fundraiser Boasted of Raising $3 Million to Support Jan. 6 “Save America” Rally

by Joaquin Sapien and Joshua Kaplan,

Trump Won the County in a Landslide. His Supporters Still Hounded the Elections Administrator Until She Resigned.

by Jeremy Schwartz,

“God’s Will Is Being Thwarted.” Even in Solid Republican Counties, Hard-Liners Seek More Partisan Control of Elections.

by Jeremy Schwartz, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune,

Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Buddies Tried to Get the VA to Sell Access to Veterans’ Medical Records

by Isaac Arnsdorf,

January 6 Select Committee Subpoenas Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Other Top Aides

by Joshua Kaplan and Joaquin Sapien,

House Bill Would Blow Up the Massive IRAs of the Superwealthy

by Justin Elliott, Patricia Callahan and James Bandler,

Declassifying the 9/11 Investigation

by Tim Golden,

Heeding Steve Bannon’s Call, Election Deniers Organize to Seize Control of the GOP — and Reshape America’s Elections

by Isaac Arnsdorf, Doug Bock Clark, Alexandra Berzon and Anjeanette Damon,

How the Trump Tax Law Created a Loophole That Lets Top Executives Net Millions by Slashing Their Own Salaries

by Robert Faturechi and Justin Elliott,

Inspector General Urges Ethics Review at Federal Election Commission Following ProPublica Report

by Jake Pearson,

Secret IRS Files Reveal How Much the Ultrawealthy Gained by Shaping Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Tax Cut”

by Justin Elliott and Robert Faturechi,

GOP Legislators in Missouri Oppose Vaccine Efforts as State Becomes COVID Hotspot

by Jeremy Kohler,

Democratic Senators Call for Investigation of Tax Avoidance by the Ultrawealthy

by Jesse Eisinger, Paul Kiel and Jeff Ernsthausen,

Campaign to Rein in Mega IRA Tax Shelters Gains Steam in Congress Following ProPublica Report

by James Bandler, Patricia Callahan and Justin Elliott,

Oregon Lawmakers Set Out to Increase the Timber Industry’s Tax Bill. Instead, They Cut It Again.

by Tony Schick, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and Rob Davis, The Oregonian/OregonLive,

The Ultrawealthy Have Hijacked Roth IRAs. The Senate Finance Chair Is Eyeing a Crackdown.

by Justin Elliott, Patricia Callahan and James Bandler,

Leading Manhattan DA Candidate Has Repeatedly Paid Virtually No Federal Income Taxes

by Robert Faturechi and Jeff Ernsthausen,