Kirsten Berg
@kirstenberg.bsky.social
Research Reporter at @ProPublica.org
Pinned
Kirsten Berg
@kirstenberg.bsky.social
· Jan 23
What ProPublica’s Reporters Will Be Covering During Donald Trump’s Second Presidency — and How to Contact Them
From Trump’s relationships with billionaires to immigration, here are some of the issues and topics our reporters will be keeping an eye on as his second presidency begins.
www.propublica.org
Do you work for the fed government and want to offer a tip or guidance on what is changing at your agency? This is how you can to contact @ProPublica.org reporters securely:
www.propublica.org/article/seco...
www.propublica.org/article/seco...
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
NEW: A proposed regulation would have denied disability benefits to at least 830,000 older blue-collar workers.
But after reporting from ProPublica and others, the Trump administration has killed the plan.
But after reporting from ProPublica and others, the Trump administration has killed the plan.
How the Trump Administration Abandoned Plans for a Major Cut in Disability Benefits for Older Workers
After meeting with advocates, the Trump administration confirmed it has scrapped a controversial regulation that would have cut disability benefits for older workers.
www.propublica.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:21 PM
NEW: A proposed regulation would have denied disability benefits to at least 830,000 older blue-collar workers.
But after reporting from ProPublica and others, the Trump administration has killed the plan.
But after reporting from ProPublica and others, the Trump administration has killed the plan.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
NEW: The Trump administration’s slickly produced videos of an immigration raid at a Chicago apartment building in September showed federal agents rappelling from a helicopter and banging down doors.
These are the stories of the people who were inside.
These are the stories of the people who were inside.
What the Trump Administration’s Videos From a Chicago Immigration Raid Don’t Show
Detained and deported Venezuelans tell their stories of what happened when immigration agents raided their apartment building.
www.propublica.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
NEW: The Trump administration’s slickly produced videos of an immigration raid at a Chicago apartment building in September showed federal agents rappelling from a helicopter and banging down doors.
These are the stories of the people who were inside.
These are the stories of the people who were inside.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
NEW: Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air. The USDA didn’t test the theory after a disastrous Midwestern outbreak.
Here’s how we did.
By @natlash.bsky.social
Here’s how we did.
By @natlash.bsky.social
How ProPublica Investigated a Bird Flu Outbreak in America’s Heartland
Early this year, bird flu ripped through 80 farms in Ohio and Indiana. Using genetic markers, wind simulations, satellite imagery, property records and more, we found that the virus could’ve been airb...
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
NEW: Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air. The USDA didn’t test the theory after a disastrous Midwestern outbreak.
Here’s how we did.
By @natlash.bsky.social
Here’s how we did.
By @natlash.bsky.social
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Tracking the spread of bird flu using genetic markers, satellite imagery, property records, and more reminds me of John Snow’s Cholera investigation/map. Howe’s Hens is the modern day Broad Street Pump. Amazing work from @natlash.bsky.social & @chrisalcantara.com. www.propublica.org/article/meth...
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Tracking the spread of bird flu using genetic markers, satellite imagery, property records, and more reminds me of John Snow’s Cholera investigation/map. Howe’s Hens is the modern day Broad Street Pump. Amazing work from @natlash.bsky.social & @chrisalcantara.com. www.propublica.org/article/meth...
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Check out our story here, which was a big collaborative effort from @melissa-sanchez.bsky.social, @jodiscohen.bsky.social, @tchristianmiller.bsky.social, Sebastian Rotella, & me. Data & research from Nick McMillan, @kirstenberg.bsky.social, & Gabriel Sandoval
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Check out our story here, which was a big collaborative effort from @melissa-sanchez.bsky.social, @jodiscohen.bsky.social, @tchristianmiller.bsky.social, Sebastian Rotella, & me. Data & research from Nick McMillan, @kirstenberg.bsky.social, & Gabriel Sandoval
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Two @cnsmd.bsky.social student reporters were ousted from an immigration court in Hyattsville, MD, on Oct. 28 and told not to return without proper authorization.
A week later, they came back with a letter from the DOJ saying they didn’t need permission to observe.
A week later, they came back with a letter from the DOJ saying they didn’t need permission to observe.
Student journalists ousted from immigration court in Maryland
Student journalists Lillian Glaros and Ruby Siefken were ordered out of an immigration court in Hyattsville, Maryland, on Oct. 28, …
pressfreedomtracker.us
November 7, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Two @cnsmd.bsky.social student reporters were ousted from an immigration court in Hyattsville, MD, on Oct. 28 and told not to return without proper authorization.
A week later, they came back with a letter from the DOJ saying they didn’t need permission to observe.
A week later, they came back with a letter from the DOJ saying they didn’t need permission to observe.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
🚨BREAKING: STRIKERS WIN!
The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
🚨BREAKING: STRIKERS WIN!
The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
NEW: Trump’s DHS appointees have:
• Dismantled civil rights guardrails,
• Protected agents’ anonymity and encouraged them to wear masks,
• Threatened groups that stood in their way, and overwhelmed legal challenges to their arrests & tactics.
By @davidmcswane.bsky.social @hannahallam.bsky.social
• Dismantled civil rights guardrails,
• Protected agents’ anonymity and encouraged them to wear masks,
• Threatened groups that stood in their way, and overwhelmed legal challenges to their arrests & tactics.
By @davidmcswane.bsky.social @hannahallam.bsky.social
How Trump is Building a Violent, Shadowy Federal Police Force
Trump’s DHS appointees have dismantled civil rights guardrails, protected agents’ anonymity and encouraged them to wear masks, threatened groups that stood in their way, and overwhelmed legal challeng...
www.propublica.org
October 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
NEW: Trump’s DHS appointees have:
• Dismantled civil rights guardrails,
• Protected agents’ anonymity and encouraged them to wear masks,
• Threatened groups that stood in their way, and overwhelmed legal challenges to their arrests & tactics.
By @davidmcswane.bsky.social @hannahallam.bsky.social
• Dismantled civil rights guardrails,
• Protected agents’ anonymity and encouraged them to wear masks,
• Threatened groups that stood in their way, and overwhelmed legal challenges to their arrests & tactics.
By @davidmcswane.bsky.social @hannahallam.bsky.social
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
An unelected life-long bureaucrat attempts to wipe out the federal government and policies that he personally disagrees with. Great reporting by @andykroll.bsky.social with research by @kirstenberg.bsky.social for @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/russ...
www.propublica.org/article/russ...
Russell Vought, Trump’s Shadow President
From the wholesale gutting of federal agencies to the ongoing government shutdown, Russell Vought has drawn the road map for Trump’s second term. Vought has consolidated power to an extent that inside...
www.propublica.org
October 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
An unelected life-long bureaucrat attempts to wipe out the federal government and policies that he personally disagrees with. Great reporting by @andykroll.bsky.social with research by @kirstenberg.bsky.social for @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/russ...
www.propublica.org/article/russ...
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
🚨NEW: After we revealed Russ Vought's "put them in trauma" video, I spent the next year reporting on him, his influence, and his vision for America.
Yes, I got *new* recordings & videos of Vought.
Here is the story.
A @propublica.org + @newyorker.com collab: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Yes, I got *new* recordings & videos of Vought.
Here is the story.
A @propublica.org + @newyorker.com collab: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Donald Trump’s Deep-State Wrecking Ball
Russell Vought is using the White House budget office to lay waste to the federal bureaucracy—firing workers, decimating agencies, and testing the rule of law.
www.newyorker.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM
🚨NEW: After we revealed Russ Vought's "put them in trauma" video, I spent the next year reporting on him, his influence, and his vision for America.
Yes, I got *new* recordings & videos of Vought.
Here is the story.
A @propublica.org + @newyorker.com collab: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Yes, I got *new* recordings & videos of Vought.
Here is the story.
A @propublica.org + @newyorker.com collab: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
"Critically, there is no way to know the complete scope of these stops since the government itself does not track them."
An astonishing amount of work that went into shining a light on the details in this remarkable void.
An astonishing amount of work that went into shining a light on the details in this remarkable void.
October 16, 2025 at 6:59 PM
"Critically, there is no way to know the complete scope of these stops since the government itself does not track them."
An astonishing amount of work that went into shining a light on the details in this remarkable void.
An astonishing amount of work that went into shining a light on the details in this remarkable void.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Many of the signers also eloquently shared why they support our union and our calls for the contract rights we deserve, including Just Cause job security, steward representation throughout the disciplinary process and guardrails around artificial intelligence implementation.
October 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Many of the signers also eloquently shared why they support our union and our calls for the contract rights we deserve, including Just Cause job security, steward representation throughout the disciplinary process and guardrails around artificial intelligence implementation.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Today we delivered to senior management in NY a petition signed by 1,300 ProPublica readers, donors and supporters, as well as fellow journalists at peer newsrooms and former ProPublicans. It’s clear that we have wide support for a fair contract NOW.
October 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Today we delivered to senior management in NY a petition signed by 1,300 ProPublica readers, donors and supporters, as well as fellow journalists at peer newsrooms and former ProPublicans. It’s clear that we have wide support for a fair contract NOW.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
"Every day I wake up, I feel like I am in a mental obstacle course."
New data shows evictions in D.C. have surged past pre-pandemic levels, fueled by shrinking aid, high rents, and weakened tenant protections.
In partnership with @streetsensedc.bsky.social and the Investigative Reporting Workshop:
New data shows evictions in D.C. have surged past pre-pandemic levels, fueled by shrinking aid, high rents, and weakened tenant protections.
In partnership with @streetsensedc.bsky.social and the Investigative Reporting Workshop:
Evictions rising in DC as housing costs increase
New data shows evictions have surged past pre-pandemic levels, fueled by shrinking aid, high rents, and weakened tenant protections.
51st.news
October 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
"Every day I wake up, I feel like I am in a mental obstacle course."
New data shows evictions in D.C. have surged past pre-pandemic levels, fueled by shrinking aid, high rents, and weakened tenant protections.
In partnership with @streetsensedc.bsky.social and the Investigative Reporting Workshop:
New data shows evictions in D.C. have surged past pre-pandemic levels, fueled by shrinking aid, high rents, and weakened tenant protections.
In partnership with @streetsensedc.bsky.social and the Investigative Reporting Workshop:
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
I made a whole "Just Cause" cake for this. Please share and sign our petition to help us get a fair contract asap -- And so I never have to repeat the experience of positioning fish-shaped sprinkles with tweezers. actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
October 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I made a whole "Just Cause" cake for this. Please share and sign our petition to help us get a fair contract asap -- And so I never have to repeat the experience of positioning fish-shaped sprinkles with tweezers. actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Scroll down post for a before photo/river view: www.popville.com/2025/10/dc-t...
What the Helen of Troy Happened to the Trees at the Kennedy Center!?! Willow trees gone - PoPville
Thanks to P. for sending this jarring sight from the Kennedy Center: "Willow trees on the Kennedy center terrace razed: Before the cutting: Updates when/if more is learned.
www.popville.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Scroll down post for a before photo/river view: www.popville.com/2025/10/dc-t...
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Welcome to @propublica.org's latest Local Reporting Network partners!
So excited to continue working with @richardawebster.bsky.social at @veritenews.org investigating Louisiana's criminal justice policies and beyond
And to collab with Holly McDede at @kqednews.kqed.org, my hometown public radio!
So excited to continue working with @richardawebster.bsky.social at @veritenews.org investigating Louisiana's criminal justice policies and beyond
And to collab with Holly McDede at @kqednews.kqed.org, my hometown public radio!
ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network Selects Five New Partners for Its 50 State Initiative
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
www.propublica.org
October 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Welcome to @propublica.org's latest Local Reporting Network partners!
So excited to continue working with @richardawebster.bsky.social at @veritenews.org investigating Louisiana's criminal justice policies and beyond
And to collab with Holly McDede at @kqednews.kqed.org, my hometown public radio!
So excited to continue working with @richardawebster.bsky.social at @veritenews.org investigating Louisiana's criminal justice policies and beyond
And to collab with Holly McDede at @kqednews.kqed.org, my hometown public radio!
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
NEW: In the lead-up to Trump’s second term, a PA businessman hired Tom Homan as a consultant and said he could put together a group of companies wanting to get in line to win contracts for a massive immigration enforcement plan, sources said.
Trading on Tom Homan: Inside the Push to Cash in on the Trump Administration’s Deportation Campaign
A Pennsylvania businessman who had Tom Homan on his payroll led companies to believe his connections to the future border czar could help advance their bids for government work, industry executives said.
www.propublica.org
October 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: In the lead-up to Trump’s second term, a PA businessman hired Tom Homan as a consultant and said he could put together a group of companies wanting to get in line to win contracts for a massive immigration enforcement plan, sources said.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Federal workers and contractors: We understand the difficult situations you may be weighing as you decide whether to reach out. All of our reporters take source privacy very seriously.
If you have information you can share with us, here's how to get in touch 👇
If you have information you can share with us, here's how to get in touch 👇
Do You Work For the Federal Government? ProPublica Wants To Hear From You.
We’re doubling down on our coverage of government agencies and federal policy. With your help, we can dig deeper.
www.propublica.org
October 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Federal workers and contractors: We understand the difficult situations you may be weighing as you decide whether to reach out. All of our reporters take source privacy very seriously.
If you have information you can share with us, here's how to get in touch 👇
If you have information you can share with us, here's how to get in touch 👇
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
Exciting news! The second @propublica.org metro ad on @wmata.com has been spotted in the wild on a metro car!
There are thousands of federal staffers with stories to tell. Share yours.
propublica.org/tips
There are thousands of federal staffers with stories to tell. Share yours.
propublica.org/tips
September 30, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Exciting news! The second @propublica.org metro ad on @wmata.com has been spotted in the wild on a metro car!
There are thousands of federal staffers with stories to tell. Share yours.
propublica.org/tips
There are thousands of federal staffers with stories to tell. Share yours.
propublica.org/tips
In 2020, President Nayib Bukele went to the U.S. ambassador with an extraordinary request.
Salvadoran authorities had intercepted a conversation between a journalist and a U.S. embassy contractor working with an FBI-led task force investigating corruption among high-level aides to the president.
Salvadoran authorities had intercepted a conversation between a journalist and a U.S. embassy contractor working with an FBI-led task force investigating corruption among high-level aides to the president.
September 30, 2025 at 3:43 PM
In 2020, President Nayib Bukele went to the U.S. ambassador with an extraordinary request.
Salvadoran authorities had intercepted a conversation between a journalist and a U.S. embassy contractor working with an FBI-led task force investigating corruption among high-level aides to the president.
Salvadoran authorities had intercepted a conversation between a journalist and a U.S. embassy contractor working with an FBI-led task force investigating corruption among high-level aides to the president.
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
1/ In August 2020, the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, made an extraordinary request to President Trump’s ambassador, Ronald Johnson. A previously undisclosed report tells what happened next, according to a new ProPublica investigation. 🧵 ⬇️
September 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
1/ In August 2020, the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, made an extraordinary request to President Trump’s ambassador, Ronald Johnson. A previously undisclosed report tells what happened next, according to a new ProPublica investigation. 🧵 ⬇️
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
NEW: “(Ambassador) Johnson wasn’t just recruiting Bukele. What’s remarkable is that Bukele was recruiting him,” one former Trump administration official told @propublica.org.
“They were recruiting each other. It was a relationship in which Bukele had power.”
“They were recruiting each other. It was a relationship in which Bukele had power.”
The Trump-Appointed Diplomat Accused of Shielding El Salvador’s President From Law Enforcement
A previously undisclosed State Department report and interviews reveal accusations that U.S. Ambassador Ronald D. Johnson shielded Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele from U.S. and Salvadoran law enforc...
www.propublica.org
September 30, 2025 at 9:12 AM
NEW: “(Ambassador) Johnson wasn’t just recruiting Bukele. What’s remarkable is that Bukele was recruiting him,” one former Trump administration official told @propublica.org.
“They were recruiting each other. It was a relationship in which Bukele had power.”
“They were recruiting each other. It was a relationship in which Bukele had power.”
Reposted by Kirsten Berg
The rules from the Department of Housing and Urban Development would allow major changes to public housing and Section 8 vouchers:
- full-time work requirements
- 2-year time limits
- stripping aid from whole families if one member is in the country illegally
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
- full-time work requirements
- 2-year time limits
- stripping aid from whole families if one member is in the country illegally
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Millions Could Lose Housing Aid Under Trump Plan
Drafts of unpublished rules obtained by ProPublica detail plans that would open the door to full-time work requirements, two-year limits on living in federally supported housing and stripping aid from...
www.propublica.org
September 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The rules from the Department of Housing and Urban Development would allow major changes to public housing and Section 8 vouchers:
- full-time work requirements
- 2-year time limits
- stripping aid from whole families if one member is in the country illegally
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
- full-time work requirements
- 2-year time limits
- stripping aid from whole families if one member is in the country illegally
www.propublica.org/article/trum...