Andy Kroll
@andykroll.bsky.social
Investigative reporter for PROPUBLICA
Contact me: 202-215-6203 (phone/Signal)
First book: A DEATH ON W STREET
Next book: Southern true-crime epic about porn kingpin Michael Thevis, the mob, and the FBI. Imagine Goodfellas meets Boogie Nights…
Contact me: 202-215-6203 (phone/Signal)
First book: A DEATH ON W STREET
Next book: Southern true-crime epic about porn kingpin Michael Thevis, the mob, and the FBI. Imagine Goodfellas meets Boogie Nights…
UPDATE: I have the attention of Russ Vought's spokesperson at OMB. Check out the exchange below.
I guess now I *am* curious what his dog's name is??
@propublica.org
I guess now I *am* curious what his dog's name is??
@propublica.org
August 6, 2025 at 7:33 PM
UPDATE: I have the attention of Russ Vought's spokesperson at OMB. Check out the exchange below.
I guess now I *am* curious what his dog's name is??
@propublica.org
I guess now I *am* curious what his dog's name is??
@propublica.org
With Elon Musk having stepped aside and DOGE fading away, Vought is probably more powerful now than ever.
We want to know more: What’s his role with DOGE? What other agencies has he influenced? 8/
We want to know more: What’s his role with DOGE? What other agencies has he influenced? 8/
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
With Elon Musk having stepped aside and DOGE fading away, Vought is probably more powerful now than ever.
We want to know more: What’s his role with DOGE? What other agencies has he influenced? 8/
We want to know more: What’s his role with DOGE? What other agencies has he influenced? 8/
Vought even took down a gov’t website — mandated by law — that showed how OMB was apportioning the money that Congress had appropriated for federal agencies.
The website was a response to Trump’s freezing of Ukraine aid in 2019.
This was so brazen even congressional Republicans pushed back. 7/
The website was a response to Trump’s freezing of Ukraine aid in 2019.
This was so brazen even congressional Republicans pushed back. 7/
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Vought even took down a gov’t website — mandated by law — that showed how OMB was apportioning the money that Congress had appropriated for federal agencies.
The website was a response to Trump’s freezing of Ukraine aid in 2019.
This was so brazen even congressional Republicans pushed back. 7/
The website was a response to Trump’s freezing of Ukraine aid in 2019.
This was so brazen even congressional Republicans pushed back. 7/
Vought endorses the concept of impoundment — that the president has the power to block spending money appropriated by Congress.
William Rehnquist — the future Supreme Court chief justice — said impoundment power was “supported by neither reason nor precedent.”
A top Reagan official agreed: 6/
William Rehnquist — the future Supreme Court chief justice — said impoundment power was “supported by neither reason nor precedent.”
A top Reagan official agreed: 6/
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Vought endorses the concept of impoundment — that the president has the power to block spending money appropriated by Congress.
William Rehnquist — the future Supreme Court chief justice — said impoundment power was “supported by neither reason nor precedent.”
A top Reagan official agreed: 6/
William Rehnquist — the future Supreme Court chief justice — said impoundment power was “supported by neither reason nor precedent.”
A top Reagan official agreed: 6/
Vought believes the U.S. is a “post-constitutional regime.”
He hails Trump as a leader sent by God to be a “radical constitutionalist” akin to James Madison.
He envisions vast powers for the executive that would undermine Congress’s constitutional authority to appropriate funds. 5/
He hails Trump as a leader sent by God to be a “radical constitutionalist” akin to James Madison.
He envisions vast powers for the executive that would undermine Congress’s constitutional authority to appropriate funds. 5/
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Vought believes the U.S. is a “post-constitutional regime.”
He hails Trump as a leader sent by God to be a “radical constitutionalist” akin to James Madison.
He envisions vast powers for the executive that would undermine Congress’s constitutional authority to appropriate funds. 5/
He hails Trump as a leader sent by God to be a “radical constitutionalist” akin to James Madison.
He envisions vast powers for the executive that would undermine Congress’s constitutional authority to appropriate funds. 5/
Vought’s job is director of the Office of Management and Budget.
OMB is a Cabinet-level agency, but it’s not a household name like DOJ.
Yet OMB is powerful. Often described as the “central nervous system” of the federal gov’t. 4/
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
OMB is a Cabinet-level agency, but it’s not a household name like DOJ.
Yet OMB is powerful. Often described as the “central nervous system” of the federal gov’t. 4/
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Vought’s job is director of the Office of Management and Budget.
OMB is a Cabinet-level agency, but it’s not a household name like DOJ.
Yet OMB is powerful. Often described as the “central nervous system” of the federal gov’t. 4/
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
OMB is a Cabinet-level agency, but it’s not a household name like DOJ.
Yet OMB is powerful. Often described as the “central nervous system” of the federal gov’t. 4/
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
The video we uncovered of Vought saying “We want to put them in trauma” has gone viral — online and off.
Senators used the word “trauma” more than 20 times at Vought’s confirmation hearing to be Trump’s budget and personnel director. 3/
Senators used the word “trauma” more than 20 times at Vought’s confirmation hearing to be Trump’s budget and personnel director. 3/
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The video we uncovered of Vought saying “We want to put them in trauma” has gone viral — online and off.
Senators used the word “trauma” more than 20 times at Vought’s confirmation hearing to be Trump’s budget and personnel director. 3/
Senators used the word “trauma” more than 20 times at Vought’s confirmation hearing to be Trump’s budget and personnel director. 3/
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/
Here is the Army-branded platform for this weekend’s military parade. It’s on Constitution Ave, just south of the Ellipse — a notable spot for all you J6 obsessives out there.
June 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Here is the Army-branded platform for this weekend’s military parade. It’s on Constitution Ave, just south of the Ellipse — a notable spot for all you J6 obsessives out there.
Metal barricades have popped up all over downtown DC and the proximity of the White House.
Reminds me a bit of what DC felt like in the weeks after the January 6 riots.
Reminds me a bit of what DC felt like in the weeks after the January 6 riots.
June 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Metal barricades have popped up all over downtown DC and the proximity of the White House.
Reminds me a bit of what DC felt like in the weeks after the January 6 riots.
Reminds me a bit of what DC felt like in the weeks after the January 6 riots.
Appreciate the reference (below) to @propublica.org’s coverage of Russ Vought in @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s newsletter today.
I have more Vought reporting in the works. I’d love to hear from anyone with information about Vought, OMB, and DOGE.
Contact info in my bio.
I have more Vought reporting in the works. I’d love to hear from anyone with information about Vought, OMB, and DOGE.
Contact info in my bio.
June 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Appreciate the reference (below) to @propublica.org’s coverage of Russ Vought in @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s newsletter today.
I have more Vought reporting in the works. I’d love to hear from anyone with information about Vought, OMB, and DOGE.
Contact info in my bio.
I have more Vought reporting in the works. I’d love to hear from anyone with information about Vought, OMB, and DOGE.
Contact info in my bio.
Vought now begins his opening statement...
Under Biden, "every agency became a tool of the left."
Those days are now over under President Trump, he says. 6/
Under Biden, "every agency became a tool of the left."
Those days are now over under President Trump, he says. 6/
June 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Vought now begins his opening statement...
Under Biden, "every agency became a tool of the left."
Those days are now over under President Trump, he says. 6/
Under Biden, "every agency became a tool of the left."
Those days are now over under President Trump, he says. 6/
Leonard Leo's response to Pres. Trump calling him a "sleazebag":
May 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Leonard Leo's response to Pres. Trump calling him a "sleazebag":
8/ Martin's confirmation was in trouble after Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, said this week that he would not support it.
Tillis cited Martin’s support for Jan. 6th defendants as his rationale for opposing Martin.
Washington Post:
Tillis cited Martin’s support for Jan. 6th defendants as his rationale for opposing Martin.
Washington Post:
May 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
8/ Martin's confirmation was in trouble after Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, said this week that he would not support it.
Tillis cited Martin’s support for Jan. 6th defendants as his rationale for opposing Martin.
Washington Post:
Tillis cited Martin’s support for Jan. 6th defendants as his rationale for opposing Martin.
Washington Post:
6/ Sen. Durbin cited @propublica.org's “troubling report” in his remarks on the Senate floor.
He described Martin’s “outrageous effort” to intimidate a judge.
He condemned Martin’s friendship with an alleged Nazi sympathizer and J6 defendant.
He described Martin’s “outrageous effort” to intimidate a judge.
He condemned Martin’s friendship with an alleged Nazi sympathizer and J6 defendant.
May 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
6/ Sen. Durbin cited @propublica.org's “troubling report” in his remarks on the Senate floor.
He described Martin’s “outrageous effort” to intimidate a judge.
He condemned Martin’s friendship with an alleged Nazi sympathizer and J6 defendant.
He described Martin’s “outrageous effort” to intimidate a judge.
He condemned Martin’s friendship with an alleged Nazi sympathizer and J6 defendant.
5/ All told, Martin’s actions have led to more than $600,000 in legal settlements or judgments against Martin or his employers.
Martin did not respond to multiple requests for comment sent by ProPublica.
Martin did not respond to multiple requests for comment sent by ProPublica.
May 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
5/ All told, Martin’s actions have led to more than $600,000 in legal settlements or judgments against Martin or his employers.
Martin did not respond to multiple requests for comment sent by ProPublica.
Martin did not respond to multiple requests for comment sent by ProPublica.
4/ As we reported, a judge found Martin in civil contempt in 2020 for his behavior in the case.
The judge cited Martin’s “willful disregard” of a court’s order.
A jury later found Martin liable for defaming the daughter of the anti-feminist icon Phyllis Schlafly.
The judge cited Martin’s “willful disregard” of a court’s order.
A jury later found Martin liable for defaming the daughter of the anti-feminist icon Phyllis Schlafly.
May 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
4/ As we reported, a judge found Martin in civil contempt in 2020 for his behavior in the case.
The judge cited Martin’s “willful disregard” of a court’s order.
A jury later found Martin liable for defaming the daughter of the anti-feminist icon Phyllis Schlafly.
The judge cited Martin’s “willful disregard” of a court’s order.
A jury later found Martin liable for defaming the daughter of the anti-feminist icon Phyllis Schlafly.
3/ My colleague @jeremykohler.bsky.social and I broke the story of how Ed Martin ghostwrote attacks on a sitting judge … in a case where Martin was the defendant.
What he did was a clear violation of ethical norms and professional rules, experts said.
What he did was a clear violation of ethical norms and professional rules, experts said.
May 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
3/ My colleague @jeremykohler.bsky.social and I broke the story of how Ed Martin ghostwrote attacks on a sitting judge … in a case where Martin was the defendant.
What he did was a clear violation of ethical norms and professional rules, experts said.
What he did was a clear violation of ethical norms and professional rules, experts said.
1/ President Trump just announced he’s dropping Ed Martin as his pick for the U.S. Attorney for DC after a GOP senator opposed Martin’s confirmation.
The decision comes immediately after a top Senate Democrat strongly condemned the pick — and cited ProPublica…🧵
The decision comes immediately after a top Senate Democrat strongly condemned the pick — and cited ProPublica…🧵
May 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
1/ President Trump just announced he’s dropping Ed Martin as his pick for the U.S. Attorney for DC after a GOP senator opposed Martin’s confirmation.
The decision comes immediately after a top Senate Democrat strongly condemned the pick — and cited ProPublica…🧵
The decision comes immediately after a top Senate Democrat strongly condemned the pick — and cited ProPublica…🧵
WATCH: Sen. Dick Durbin is on the Senate floor, speaking out in opposition to Republican activist and lawyer Ed Martin's nomination to be the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Live here: www.c-span.org/event/us-sen...
Live here: www.c-span.org/event/us-sen...
May 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
WATCH: Sen. Dick Durbin is on the Senate floor, speaking out in opposition to Republican activist and lawyer Ed Martin's nomination to be the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Live here: www.c-span.org/event/us-sen...
Live here: www.c-span.org/event/us-sen...
Judge Boasberg's noon deadline today has and come gone, and it appears DOJ has not filed its response in J.G.G. v. Trump, the El Salvador deportation case.
The latest entry in the docket is from yesterday (see below).
It also looks like a DOJ lawyer has dropped off the case.
The latest entry in the docket is from yesterday (see below).
It also looks like a DOJ lawyer has dropped off the case.
March 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Judge Boasberg's noon deadline today has and come gone, and it appears DOJ has not filed its response in J.G.G. v. Trump, the El Salvador deportation case.
The latest entry in the docket is from yesterday (see below).
It also looks like a DOJ lawyer has dropped off the case.
The latest entry in the docket is from yesterday (see below).
It also looks like a DOJ lawyer has dropped off the case.
And now, a break in our regularly scheduled programming (cough cough) to share this delightful and made-me-cackle paragraph written by the always excellent @heatherhav.bsky.social
February 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
And now, a break in our regularly scheduled programming (cough cough) to share this delightful and made-me-cackle paragraph written by the always excellent @heatherhav.bsky.social
Per the White House, Pres. Trump held his "first foreign leader call" today with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Reminder: MBS ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, per a CIA assessment.
Trump's family also has business ties w/ Saudis.
Reminder: MBS ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, per a CIA assessment.
Trump's family also has business ties w/ Saudis.
January 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Per the White House, Pres. Trump held his "first foreign leader call" today with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Reminder: MBS ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, per a CIA assessment.
Trump's family also has business ties w/ Saudis.
Reminder: MBS ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, per a CIA assessment.
Trump's family also has business ties w/ Saudis.
This is about as strong of a rebuke as a judge in a J6 case could give, given the circumstances.
Perhaps it's not surprising considering that Howell spent hundreds if not thousands of hours presiding over J6 cases since 2021.
Pretty striking. 6/end
Perhaps it's not surprising considering that Howell spent hundreds if not thousands of hours presiding over J6 cases since 2021.
Pretty striking. 6/end
January 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
This is about as strong of a rebuke as a judge in a J6 case could give, given the circumstances.
Perhaps it's not surprising considering that Howell spent hundreds if not thousands of hours presiding over J6 cases since 2021.
Pretty striking. 6/end
Perhaps it's not surprising considering that Howell spent hundreds if not thousands of hours presiding over J6 cases since 2021.
Pretty striking. 6/end
Howell writes that she can't refuse the DOJ's decision to dismiss this case in which two J6 defendants had already admitted criminal conduct *under oath.*
But she refuses DOJ's request to dismiss the case WITH prejudice. That would bar future prosecution for these crimes. 5/
But she refuses DOJ's request to dismiss the case WITH prejudice. That would bar future prosecution for these crimes. 5/
January 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Howell writes that she can't refuse the DOJ's decision to dismiss this case in which two J6 defendants had already admitted criminal conduct *under oath.*
But she refuses DOJ's request to dismiss the case WITH prejudice. That would bar future prosecution for these crimes. 5/
But she refuses DOJ's request to dismiss the case WITH prejudice. That would bar future prosecution for these crimes. 5/