Documented
@documented.net
Documented is an investigative watchdog and journalism project committed to holding the powerful interests that undermine our democracy accountable. Documented.net
Reposted by Documented
Last fall, @propublica.org and @documented.net broke the story that Russell Vought, Trump’s current budget chief, said he planned to put career civil servants “in trauma.”
Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Last fall, @propublica.org and @documented.net broke the story that Russell Vought, Trump’s current budget chief, said he planned to put career civil servants “in trauma.”
Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
Reposted by Documented
“It is hard to see how Sinema can credibly argue that luxury hotels, meal expenses, and extensive air travel are connected to her candidacy or officeholder duties, given that she is no longer a candidate or officeholder,” I told
@NOTUSreports.
A few thoughts: 🧵
@NOTUSreports.
A few thoughts: 🧵
Kyrsten Sinema’s Campaign Committee Spent Big on Flights, Wine Shops and Skiing
NEW via @davelevinthal.com
www.notus.org/money/kyrste...
NEW via @davelevinthal.com
www.notus.org/money/kyrste...
Kyrsten Sinema’s Campaign Committee Spent Big on Flights, Wine Shops and Skiing
The former senator isn’t running for office, but her campaign committee spent more than $391,000 between March 31 and June 30, according to FEC filings.
www.notus.org
July 15, 2025 at 12:07 AM
“It is hard to see how Sinema can credibly argue that luxury hotels, meal expenses, and extensive air travel are connected to her candidacy or officeholder duties, given that she is no longer a candidate or officeholder,” I told
@NOTUSreports.
A few thoughts: 🧵
@NOTUSreports.
A few thoughts: 🧵
Reposted by Documented
Each move, in isolation, might be defensible. But taken together, they reveal a pattern: empower MAGA-aligned groups and donors, and disempower everyone else. This is not principled policymaking, but instead part of an effort to tilt the playing field. (end)
July 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Each move, in isolation, might be defensible. But taken together, they reveal a pattern: empower MAGA-aligned groups and donors, and disempower everyone else. This is not principled policymaking, but instead part of an effort to tilt the playing field. (end)
Reposted by Documented
— The Trump administration is refusing to defend a campaign finance law that limits how much parties can spend in coordination with candidates—after GOP committees sued to overturn it, and despite objections from Democratic committees. 6/
July 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
— The Trump administration is refusing to defend a campaign finance law that limits how much parties can spend in coordination with candidates—after GOP committees sued to overturn it, and despite objections from Democratic committees. 6/
Reposted by Documented
The Trump admin’s move to let churches engage in partisan politics is part of a broader strategy to loosen the rules when it benefits MAGA allies, and tighten them when it hurts the opposition. 🧵 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit
www.nytimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Trump admin’s move to let churches engage in partisan politics is part of a broader strategy to loosen the rules when it benefits MAGA allies, and tighten them when it hurts the opposition. 🧵 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
Reposted by Documented
Bottom line: Trump's latest effort to profit off the presidency creates deep conflicts of interest—and new vulnerabilities to foreign influence. (end)
June 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Bottom line: Trump's latest effort to profit off the presidency creates deep conflicts of interest—and new vulnerabilities to foreign influence. (end)
Reposted by Documented
Alternatively, China could offer Trump’s companies targeted deals to win concessions from the administration, even if granting those concessions may not advance American interests. 4/
June 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Alternatively, China could offer Trump’s companies targeted deals to win concessions from the administration, even if granting those concessions may not advance American interests. 4/
Reposted by Documented
If the Trump family is serious about building these phones in the US, then President Trump now has a personal financial stake in tariff and trade negotiations.
It also means that China has a potentially new source of leverage over the president.
Both raise major conflict of interests. 1/
It also means that China has a potentially new source of leverage over the president.
Both raise major conflict of interests. 1/
BENNY JOHNSON: Tell me about a brand new Trump device, made here in the USA. St. Louis! Why did you pick St. Louis?
DON JR: Well, listen, uh, we're gonna be, ahhh, having call centers for Trump mobile in St. Louis. So we're keeping our data on shore.
DON JR: Well, listen, uh, we're gonna be, ahhh, having call centers for Trump mobile in St. Louis. So we're keeping our data on shore.
June 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
If the Trump family is serious about building these phones in the US, then President Trump now has a personal financial stake in tariff and trade negotiations.
It also means that China has a potentially new source of leverage over the president.
Both raise major conflict of interests. 1/
It also means that China has a potentially new source of leverage over the president.
Both raise major conflict of interests. 1/
Reposted by Documented
One implication of Trump’s plan to sell green cards for $5 million is that it would allow foreign billionaires and oligarchs to start legally pouring money into U.S. elections (including into Trump’s political operation).
June 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
One implication of Trump’s plan to sell green cards for $5 million is that it would allow foreign billionaires and oligarchs to start legally pouring money into U.S. elections (including into Trump’s political operation).
Reposted by Documented
The Elon Musk-backed, Trump-aligned dark money group Building America’s Future is behind the multi-million dollar “Make America Affordable Again” ad campaign pushing "lawsuit reform," FCC records show.
May 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The Elon Musk-backed, Trump-aligned dark money group Building America’s Future is behind the multi-million dollar “Make America Affordable Again” ad campaign pushing "lawsuit reform," FCC records show.
Reposted by Documented
SLOW BURN: Seven months after @propublica.org + @documented.net exposed Russ Vought's plan to put federal workers "in trauma," he's still getting asked about it.
This time on CNN's flagship Sunday show.
He doesn't look comfortable responding to it: www.yahoo.com/news/trump-o...
This time on CNN's flagship Sunday show.
He doesn't look comfortable responding to it: www.yahoo.com/news/trump-o...
Trump Official Backpedals as Wild ‘Trauma’ Plot Exposed
President Donald Trump’s budget chief got cornered for saying government workers deserve to be “in trauma.” “We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected,” Office of Management and Budget Dire...
www.yahoo.com
June 3, 2025 at 1:19 PM
SLOW BURN: Seven months after @propublica.org + @documented.net exposed Russ Vought's plan to put federal workers "in trauma," he's still getting asked about it.
This time on CNN's flagship Sunday show.
He doesn't look comfortable responding to it: www.yahoo.com/news/trump-o...
This time on CNN's flagship Sunday show.
He doesn't look comfortable responding to it: www.yahoo.com/news/trump-o...
Irony is not dead: Pennsylvania Rep. Tom Jones is asking people to fork over between $500-$2,000 for a June 25th fundraiser titled, "Surviving the Swamp." 🤔 Check out the invite in our Swamp Dollars database: documented.net/swamp-dollar...
Documented
Documented is an investigative watchdog and journalism project committed to holding the powerful interests that undermine our democracy accountable.
documented.net
June 6, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Irony is not dead: Pennsylvania Rep. Tom Jones is asking people to fork over between $500-$2,000 for a June 25th fundraiser titled, "Surviving the Swamp." 🤔 Check out the invite in our Swamp Dollars database: documented.net/swamp-dollar...
The fundraising never stops: From golf outings to happy hours, politicians are schmoozing all around the Washington, DC area. You can see a whole list of political invites from Reps like Jefferson Shreve, Scott Fitzgerald, Blake Moore, John James and more: documented.net/swamp-dollar...
Swamp Dollars
Documented is an investigative watchdog and journalism project committed to holding the powerful interests that undermine our democracy accountable.
documented.net
May 20, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The fundraising never stops: From golf outings to happy hours, politicians are schmoozing all around the Washington, DC area. You can see a whole list of political invites from Reps like Jefferson Shreve, Scott Fitzgerald, Blake Moore, John James and more: documented.net/swamp-dollar...
Reposted by Documented
This week’s main story is about the Alliance Defending Freedom, the landmark Supreme Court cases they’ve been behind, and how obsessed they are with the word “winsome.” It’s inexplicable. They could just say “appealing” but no. It’s winsome this, winsome that. Absolutely baffling stuff. You’ll see.
May 12, 2025 at 5:34 PM
This week’s main story is about the Alliance Defending Freedom, the landmark Supreme Court cases they’ve been behind, and how obsessed they are with the word “winsome.” It’s inexplicable. They could just say “appealing” but no. It’s winsome this, winsome that. Absolutely baffling stuff. You’ll see.
Our Tweet Ended Kathleen Sgamma’s Bid to Lead Trump Public Lands Agency www.theshakedown.documented.net/p/tweet-kath...
Our Tweet Ended Kathleen Sgamma’s Bid to Lead Trump Public Lands Agency
Memo Revealed Sgamma Was 'Disgusted' by Trump's Role in Inciting Jan. 6 Violence
www.theshakedown.documented.net
April 11, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Our Tweet Ended Kathleen Sgamma’s Bid to Lead Trump Public Lands Agency www.theshakedown.documented.net/p/tweet-kath...
"This week, the investigative news outlet Documented published a memo it had obtained showing that Ms. Sgamma had criticized President Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol." -- @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/c...
Kathleen Sgamma Ends Bid to Lead the B.L.M.
Kathleen Sgamma abruptly withdrew from consideration days after a memo surfaced in which she sharply criticized President Trump.
www.nytimes.com
April 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
"This week, the investigative news outlet Documented published a memo it had obtained showing that Ms. Sgamma had criticized President Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol." -- @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/c...
Reposted by Documented
It comes after the investigative group Documented on Tuesday released a 2021 letter in which Sgamma wrote that she was “disgusted” by Trump “spreading misinformation” about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.
Trump’s pick to oversee public lands withdraws after criticism of Jan. 6 riot surfaces
Kathleen Sgamma, Trump’s Bureau of Land Management nominee, wrote in 2021 that she was “disgusted” by the Jan. 6 attack, an investigative group had just disclosed.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
It comes after the investigative group Documented on Tuesday released a 2021 letter in which Sgamma wrote that she was “disgusted” by Trump “spreading misinformation” about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.
Reposted by Documented
Breaking news: Kathleen Sgamma, President Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management, abruptly withdrew her nomination Thursday morning, just as her confirmation hearing was about to begin.
Trump’s pick to oversee public lands withdraws after criticism of Jan. 6 riot surfaces
Kathleen Sgamma, Trump’s Bureau of Land Management nominee, wrote in 2021 that she was “disgusted” by the Jan. 6 attack, an investigative group had just disclosed.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Breaking news: Kathleen Sgamma, President Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management, abruptly withdrew her nomination Thursday morning, just as her confirmation hearing was about to begin.
Reposted by Documented
Maybe not coincidentily, Sgamma's nomination to lead BLM just got yanked.
Her email account still responds to messages with an auto reply saying she's in DC for her nomination hearing.
Her email account still responds to messages with an auto reply saying she's in DC for her nomination hearing.
🧵1/ Kathleen Sgamma, Trump’s pick to run the Bureau of Land Management, wrote in 2021 she was "disgusted" by Trump's role "spreading misinformation" on Jan. 6, accusing him of "dishonoring the vote of the People," per a memo to oil execs obtained by @documented.net. Her Senate hearing is Thursday.
April 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Maybe not coincidentily, Sgamma's nomination to lead BLM just got yanked.
Her email account still responds to messages with an auto reply saying she's in DC for her nomination hearing.
Her email account still responds to messages with an auto reply saying she's in DC for her nomination hearing.
Reposted by Documented
🚨 Kathleen Sgamma just withdrew her nomination to lead BLM—right before her Senate hearing. Did the recently unearthed memo exposing her past criticism of Trump's election denial play a role?
🧵1/ Kathleen Sgamma, Trump’s pick to run the Bureau of Land Management, wrote in 2021 she was "disgusted" by Trump's role "spreading misinformation" on Jan. 6, accusing him of "dishonoring the vote of the People," per a memo to oil execs obtained by @documented.net. Her Senate hearing is Thursday.
April 10, 2025 at 2:26 PM
🚨 Kathleen Sgamma just withdrew her nomination to lead BLM—right before her Senate hearing. Did the recently unearthed memo exposing her past criticism of Trump's election denial play a role?
The Republican State Leadership Committee is hosting a Women's Leadership Summit today and tomorrow in Boca Raton, Florida. For just $10,000 *per attendee* guests can take part in the trip as well as a roundtable discussion with politicians. documented.net/swamp-dollar...
Documented
Documented is an investigative watchdog and journalism project committed to holding the powerful interests that undermine our democracy accountable.
documented.net
April 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The Republican State Leadership Committee is hosting a Women's Leadership Summit today and tomorrow in Boca Raton, Florida. For just $10,000 *per attendee* guests can take part in the trip as well as a roundtable discussion with politicians. documented.net/swamp-dollar...
Reposted by Documented
🧵1/ Kathleen Sgamma, Trump’s pick to run the Bureau of Land Management, wrote in 2021 she was "disgusted" by Trump's role "spreading misinformation" on Jan. 6, accusing him of "dishonoring the vote of the People," per a memo to oil execs obtained by @documented.net. Her Senate hearing is Thursday.
April 8, 2025 at 10:13 AM
🧵1/ Kathleen Sgamma, Trump’s pick to run the Bureau of Land Management, wrote in 2021 she was "disgusted" by Trump's role "spreading misinformation" on Jan. 6, accusing him of "dishonoring the vote of the People," per a memo to oil execs obtained by @documented.net. Her Senate hearing is Thursday.
Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain is taking a trip to Puerto Rico - and you could join for a cool $1,500 - $5,000 contribution to her reelection campaign. From April 4-6 "Team McCLain" will be staying at the Fairmont El San Juan. documented.net/swamp-dollar...
Documented
Documented is an investigative watchdog and journalism project committed to holding the powerful interests that undermine our democracy accountable.
documented.net
April 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain is taking a trip to Puerto Rico - and you could join for a cool $1,500 - $5,000 contribution to her reelection campaign. From April 4-6 "Team McCLain" will be staying at the Fairmont El San Juan. documented.net/swamp-dollar...
Thanks for the shoutout!
"The story drew on private recordings of a series of speeches given in 2023 and 2024 by Russell Vought obtained by our colleagues at Documented, a news site with a remarkable knack for uncovering information powerful interests would prefer remained secret."
"The story drew on private recordings of a series of speeches given in 2023 and 2024 by Russell Vought obtained by our colleagues at Documented, a news site with a remarkable knack for uncovering information powerful interests would prefer remained secret."
NEW: In October, we published secret recordings of Russell Vought discussing plans to eviscerate entire agencies and decimate the morale of federal workers if Trump won a second term.
It's hard to imagine a more prescient piece of journalism, our editor-in-chief @sengelberg.bsky.social writes.
It's hard to imagine a more prescient piece of journalism, our editor-in-chief @sengelberg.bsky.social writes.
The October Story That Outlined Exactly What the Trump Administration Would Do to the Federal Bureaucracy
Historians have hindsight when they look into the past; journalists have the facts on the ground and context to help them look ahead. That means we can sometimes be surprised by how prescient a story ...
propub.li
March 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Thanks for the shoutout!
"The story drew on private recordings of a series of speeches given in 2023 and 2024 by Russell Vought obtained by our colleagues at Documented, a news site with a remarkable knack for uncovering information powerful interests would prefer remained secret."
"The story drew on private recordings of a series of speeches given in 2023 and 2024 by Russell Vought obtained by our colleagues at Documented, a news site with a remarkable knack for uncovering information powerful interests would prefer remained secret."
Congrats to @nicksurgey.bsky.social, @andykroll.bsky.social, @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social, and Ava Kofman for being a finalists for the 2025 Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting for their investigation into Ziklag! news.syr.edu/blog/2025/03...
Reuters, NJ Advance Media Win 2025 Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting
Reuters won the 2025 Toner Prize for national political reporting for comprehensive stories published as part of the news organization’s “Politics of Menace ...
news.syr.edu
March 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Congrats to @nicksurgey.bsky.social, @andykroll.bsky.social, @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social, and Ava Kofman for being a finalists for the 2025 Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting for their investigation into Ziklag! news.syr.edu/blog/2025/03...