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Holding Political Actors Accountable

Texas Lawmakers Are Again Pushing to Spend Millions on Kits to Find Missing Kids. Experts Say They Don’t Work.

Texas legislators slipped millions for child ID kits into a 1,000-page budget proposal. The move comes two years after they quietly cut funding for such kits following a ProPublica and Texas Tribune report that showed there’s no evidence they work.

by Lexi Churchill, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune,

The Untold Story of How Ed Martin Ghostwrote Online Attacks Against a Judge — and Still Became a Top Trump Prosecutor

Martin’s career is dotted with ethical and professional questions, records show. Some of the most serious ones about the interim U.S. attorney for D.C. have remained buried in court filings, overlooked by the press or never reported — until now.

by Jeremy Kohler and Andy Kroll,

Texas AG Ken Paxton Won’t Face Federal Corruption Charges as He Gains Momentum for Likely Senate Run

The federal criminal investigation was the most serious legal threat the once-embattled Republican faced. With the probe now over, Paxton is gearing up to likely challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in 2026.

by Kayla Guo, The Texas Tribune,

How Elon Musk, George Soros and Other Billionaires Are Shaping the Most Expensive Court Race in U.S. History

Ten years ago, Wisconsin approved unlimited political spending. Now, as spending for its Supreme Court race surpasses more than $80 million, some campaign reformers are wondering if the state is reaching a tipping point.

by Megan O’Matz,

Featured Reporters

Portrait of Justin Elliott Justin Elliott
Portrait of Robert Faturechi Robert Faturechi
Portrait of Doug Bock Clark Doug Bock Clark
Cassandra Jaramillo
Portrait of Marilyn W. Thompson Marilyn W. Thompson

Impact of Our Reporting
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North Carolina Lawmakers Ask for Investigation Into Funding Disruptions for Sexual Abuse Survivors

In response to ProPublica’s reporting, a bipartisan committee of senators is asking the state auditor to investigate how $15 million intended to stop human trafficking had been spent and managed.

by Doug Bock Clark,

West Texas Pastor Who Used Illegal Donations From Churches to Campaign for Office Is Fined $3,500

Fines issued to Scott Beard of Abilene’s Fountaingate Fellowship and two pastors follow reporting from ProPublica and The Texas Tribune that revealed the churches donated to his campaign for local office despite state and federal prohibitions.

by Jessica Priest,

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,

Series

Series: Without Knowledge or Consent: Inside the Secret Gun Industry Project to Change America

Series: Faith in Power: The Christian Right’s Attempt to Influence Elections

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

456 stories published since 2016

North Carolina Lawmakers Ask for Investigation Into Funding Disruptions for Sexual Abuse Survivors

by Doug Bock Clark,

A Political Power Grab Redirected Funds for North Carolina’s Sexual Abuse Survivors. Women in Crisis Paid the Price.

by Doug Bock Clark,

How Texas Conservatives Use At-Large School Board Elections to Influence What Students Learn

by Jeremy Schwartz, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, and Dan Keemahill, The Texas Tribune, photography by Shelby Tauber for ProPublica and The Texas Tribune,

How a Push to Amend the Constitution Could Help Trump Expand Presidential Power

by Phoebe Petrovic, Wisconsin Watch,

Secretive D.C. Influence Project Appears to Be Running a Group House for Right-Wing Lawmakers

by Justin Elliott, Joshua Kaplan and Alex Mierjeski,

Ethical Concerns Surround Sen. Joni Ernst’s Relationships With Top Military Officials Who Lobbied Her Committee

by Robert Faturechi,

Speaker Mike Johnson Is Living in a D.C. House That Is the Center of a Pastor’s Secretive Influence Campaign

by Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott and Alex Mierjeski,

“We Feel Terrorized”: What EPA Employees Say About the Decision to Stay or Go Under Trump

by Sharon Lerner and Pratheek Rebala,

ProPublica’s Coverage of Donald Trump’s Appointments — and How They Could Reshape Federal Agencies

by ProPublica,

North Dakota Sued the Interior Department at Least Five Times Under Gov. Doug Burgum. Now He’s Set to Run the Agency.

by Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor, and Mark Olalde, ProPublica,

Women Made Electoral Gains in Statehouses Across the Country in 2024. The Southeast Is a Different Story.

by Jennifer Berry Hawes,

A Trump DOJ Could Bring an End to the Yearslong Investigation of His Ally Ken Paxton

by Vianna Davila, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune,

Gretchen Whitmer’s Chance for Wide-Ranging Legacy Derailed by Botched Legislative Session

by Anna Clark,

Despite Trump’s Win, School Vouchers Were Again Rejected by Majorities of Voters

by Eli Hager and Jeremy Schwartz,

Trump’s Near Sweep of Texas Border Counties Shows a Shift to the Right for Latino Voters

by Jasper Scherer, Zach Despart and Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune, and Perla Trevizo and Dan Keemahill, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune,

What to Expect From ProPublica in a Second Trump Administration

by Stephen Engelberg,

El sheriff fronterizo pro armas y provida que perdió la lealtad de sus vecinos por ser tachado de “blando” con la inmigración

por Perla Trevizo, ProPublica y The Texas Tribune, fotografía por Gerardo del Valle, ProPublica,

Trump Claims “Illegal Alien” Voting Is Rampant. His Own Party Disagrees.

by Andy Kroll,

Watch: How the Race for Sheriff in Del Rio, Texas, Became a Referendum on Immigration

by Gerardo del Valle, ProPublica, and Perla Trevizo, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune,

A Pro-Gun, Anti-Abortion Border Sheriff Appealed to Both Parties. Then He Was Painted as Soft on Immigration.

by Perla Trevizo, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, photography by Gerardo del Valle, ProPublica,

Trump Media Outsourced Jobs to Mexico Even as Trump Pushes “America First”

by Robert Faturechi, Justin Elliott and Alex Mierjeski,

ProPublica’s Coverage of the Election Issues That Matter to Voters

by ProPublica,

Trump Says He’ll Fight for Working-Class Americans. His First Presidency Suggests He Won’t.

by Eli Hager,

In Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic Sometimes Called the Shots With Gov. Tim Walz

by Max Nesterak, Minnesota Reformer, and Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica,

The Small Midwestern Cities That Could Play a Pivotal Role in This Year’s Elections

by Alec MacGillis,

Without Knowledge or Consent

by Corey G. Johnson,

Who’s Mailing the Catholic Tribune? It’s Not the Church, It’s Partisan Media.

by Jennifer Smith Richards and Megan O’Matz,

JD Vance Campaign Event With Christian Right Leaders May Have Violated Tax and Election Laws, Experts Say

by Andy Kroll, ProPublica; Phoebe Petrovic, Wisconsin Watch; and Nick Surgey, Documented,

Opponents of Missouri Abortion Rights Amendment Turn to Anti-Trans Messaging and Misinformation

by Jeremy Kohler,

Battle Over Ballot Drop Boxes Rages On in Wisconsin as Officials Put Them at Center of Election Integrity Debate

by Megan O’Matz,

North Dakota’s Likely Next Governor Brushes Off Conflict Concerns, Says His Oil and Gas Ties Would Benefit the State

by Jacob Orledge, North Dakota Monitor,

Heritage Foundation Staffers Flood Federal Agencies With Thousands of Information Requests

by Sharon Lerner and Andy Kroll,

Emails Reveal How Walz Struggled to Deal With Unrest, Reach Consensus With Critics After Police Killings

by Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica, and Michelle Griffith, Madison McVan and Deena Winter, Minnesota Reformer,

Officials Voted Down a Controversial Georgia Election Rule, Saying It Violated the Law. Then a Similar Version Passed.

by Doug Bock Clark,

A Vexing To-Do List for Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer

by Anna Clark,

Election Deniers Secretly Pushed Rule That Would Make It Easier to Delay Certification of Georgia’s Election Results

by Doug Bock Clark,

Inside Project 2025’s Secret Training Videos

by Andy Kroll, ProPublica, and Nick Surgey, Documented,

Watch: 14 Hours of Never-Before-Published Videos From Project 2025’s Presidential Administration Academy

by Andy Kroll, ProPublica, and Nick Surgey, Documented,

The Man Behind Project 2025’s Most Radical Plans

by Alec MacGillis,

Trump Media Quietly Enters Deal With a Republican Donor Who Could Benefit From a Second Trump Administration

by Justin Elliott, Robert Faturechi and Alex Mierjeski,

Narcotraficantes mexicanos dijeron que apoyaron la primera campaña del ahora presidente de México. Agentes estadounidenses ya habían dejado de investigar.

por Tim Golden,

La historia oculta de la arriesgada investigación estadounidense de las acusaciones de que narcotraficantes financiaron una campaña del presidente mexicano López Obrador

por Tim Golden,

Drug Traffickers Said They Backed an Early Campaign of Mexico’s President. But U.S. Agents Were Done Investigating.

by Tim Golden,

Inside the Risky U.S. Probe of Allegations That Drug Mafias Financed a Campaign of Mexico’s President López Obrador

by Tim Golden,

Trump Media Made a Deal That Could Secure a Major Financial Windfall for the GOP Candidate

by Justin Elliott and Robert Faturechi,

In Private Speech, J.D. Vance Said the “Devil Is Real” and Praised Alex Jones as a Truth-Teller

by Andy Kroll, ProPublica, and Nick Surgey, Documented,

West Texas Pastor Who Used Illegal Donations From Churches to Campaign for Office Is Fined $3,500

by Jessica Priest,

Judge Denies Texas Attorney General’s Efforts to Use Consumer Protection Law to Shut Down a Migrant Shelter

by Alejandro Serrano and Robert Downen, The Texas Tribune, and Vianna Davila, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune,

We’re Releasing Our Full, Unedited Interview With Joe Biden From September

by ProPublica,

Texas Is the Largest GOP Stronghold Without Pro-School Voucher Legislation. Gov. Abbott Is on a Crusade to Change That.

by Jeremy Schwartz,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

Photo of Andy Kroll
Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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    U.S. AG Pam Bondi Sold More than $1 Million in Trump Media Stock the Day Trump Announced Sweeping Tariffs

    Disclosure forms show that Bondi sold between $1 million and $5 million worth of shares on April 2. That day, after the market closed, Trump’s “Liberation Day” press conference sent the market tumbling.

    by Robert Faturechi and Brandon Roberts,

    The Ugly Truth

    “Incalculable” Damage: How a “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise Left a Trail of Financial Wreckage Across Texas

    Charles Carrier is accused of orchestrating a yearslong Ponzi scheme, bilking tens of millions of dollars from both wealthy investors and older people with modest incomes. Despite signs of trouble, HomeVestors didn’t intervene.

    by Anjeanette Damon and Mollie Simon,

    Broken Pathways

    He Became the Face of Georgia’s Medicaid Work Requirement. Now He’s Fed Up With It.

    A 54-year-old mechanic called Pathways to Coverage a “great program” at the governor’s press conference. But after getting kicked off the health insurance program for low-income Georgians twice, bureaucratic red tape has him at his wit’s end.

    by Margaret Coker, The Current,

    Local Reporting Network

    Musk Adviser May Make as Much as $1 Million a Year While Helping to Dismantle Agency that Regulates Tesla and X

    Records show that Chris Young is simultaneously working as a political adviser to Musk while serving in the Department of Government Efficiency, helping to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

    by Jake Pearson,

    Broken Pathways

    The Firm Running Georgia’s Struggling Medicaid Experiment Was Also Paid Millions to Sell It to the Public

    Deloitte Consulting is taking in tens of millions in tax dollars to build, manage and market Georgia’s Medicaid work requirement program. Yet only 3% of eligible residents have enrolled.

    by Margaret Coker, The Current,

    Local Reporting Network