Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
@samueloakford.bsky.social
@washingtonpost visual forensics | [email protected] | signal: 771-200-7508
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
A fine example of a story that would require the Pentagon’s approval under the new media policy that The Post and others refused to sign
Strong work from @alexhorton.bsky.social and @samueloakford.bsky.social
Strong work from @alexhorton.bsky.social and @samueloakford.bsky.social
Exclusive: The U.S. military’s elite Special Operations aviation unit appears to have flown in Caribbean waters less than 90 miles from the coast of Venezuela in recent days, according to a visual analysis by The Post.
U.S. Special Operations helicopters near Venezuela expand Caribbean mission
U.S. Special Operations helicopters flew within 90 miles of Venezuelan territory, according to a Post analysis. Trump authorized CIA covert action inside the country.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
A fine example of a story that would require the Pentagon’s approval under the new media policy that The Post and others refused to sign
Strong work from @alexhorton.bsky.social and @samueloakford.bsky.social
Strong work from @alexhorton.bsky.social and @samueloakford.bsky.social
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
Border czar Tom Homan was caught on tape accepting a bag filled with $50,000 in cash from an undercover FBI agent in September 2024. Trump officials have shut down the bribery investigation.
Trump officials shut down bribery probe of border czar Tom Homan
Tom Homan was caught on tape accepting a bag filled with $50,000 in cash from an undercover FBI agent in Texas in September 2024, according to people familiar with the matter and a government document...
www.washingtonpost.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Border czar Tom Homan was caught on tape accepting a bag filled with $50,000 in cash from an undercover FBI agent in September 2024. Trump officials have shut down the bribery investigation.
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
the coverage was led by our climate team's @bradydennis.bsky.social, brianna sacks and @byscottdance.com on the ground in NC, w/ assists from @samueloakford.bsky.social in visual forensics and my tech colleagues @gerritd.bsky.social & @jeremybmerrill.com et al www.washingtonpost.com/weather/inte...
In North Carolina, there was before Helene. This is the after.
“A hundred years from now, they will be talking about this flood,” said one resident in Western North Carolina, where the extent of the disaster is only beginning to emerge.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
the coverage was led by our climate team's @bradydennis.bsky.social, brianna sacks and @byscottdance.com on the ground in NC, w/ assists from @samueloakford.bsky.social in visual forensics and my tech colleagues @gerritd.bsky.social & @jeremybmerrill.com et al www.washingtonpost.com/weather/inte...
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
not a big Prize Guy but proud to have played a role on the @washingtonpost.com team that was named a Pulitzer finalist in National Reporting today for our coverage of Hurricane Helene, including the social media-fueled storm of lies that followed in its wake www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024...
How a conspiracy-fueled group got a foothold in this hurricane-battered town
Over the course of 11 days, a supermarket parking lot became a snapshot of the chaos that can unfold in some corners of post-disaster America.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
not a big Prize Guy but proud to have played a role on the @washingtonpost.com team that was named a Pulitzer finalist in National Reporting today for our coverage of Hurricane Helene, including the social media-fueled storm of lies that followed in its wake www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024...
The @washingtonpost.com won the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news on Monday for its coverage of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. It’s the paper at its finest, and I’m so proud that our Visual Forensics work featured in the winning package.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...
www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...
The Post wins Pulitzers for Trump rally shooting stories, editorial cartoons
The Washington Post was recognized with two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and political cartoons by Ann Telnaes.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 6, 2025 at 6:15 AM
The @washingtonpost.com won the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news on Monday for its coverage of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. It’s the paper at its finest, and I’m so proud that our Visual Forensics work featured in the winning package.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...
www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
BREAKING NEWS - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol REMOVED from office by the court's unanimous decision www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
South Korean court removes president from office, says he violated duties
The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempt to impose martial law, a decision expected to exacerbate political divisions.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:23 AM
BREAKING NEWS - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol REMOVED from office by the court's unanimous decision www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
As Trump upends U.S. foreign policy, getting closer to Russia, threatening NATO allies, pausing cooperation with Ukraine, Washington’s traditional partners — and best customers — are rethinking their dependence on American weapons systems
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Trump turbulence leads allies to rethink reliance on U.S. weapons
European capitals are reviewing vulnerabilities and want to wean themselves from dependence on American weapons, but expanding homegrown options will take time.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 23, 2025 at 8:47 PM
As Trump upends U.S. foreign policy, getting closer to Russia, threatening NATO allies, pausing cooperation with Ukraine, Washington’s traditional partners — and best customers — are rethinking their dependence on American weapons systems
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
Trump's Iron Dome for America plan — now renamed "Golden Dome" — is rocketing forward and Silicon Valley-linked contractors like Anduril and SpaceX could reap some of the rewards: www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Military-Tech Startups Vie for Billions as Hegseth Shakes Up Pentagon Spending
Venture-backed companies see an opening to take business from traditional defense contractors.
www.wsj.com
February 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Trump's Iron Dome for America plan — now renamed "Golden Dome" — is rocketing forward and Silicon Valley-linked contractors like Anduril and SpaceX could reap some of the rewards: www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
Elon Musk said DOGE made a mistake by cutting USAID’s Ebola prevention but it had been “restored.”
That’s not true, current and former officials told me and @johnphudson.bsky.social.
“There have been no efforts to ‘turn on’” Ebola prevention, said Nidhi Bouri, who oversaw team until January.
That’s not true, current and former officials told me and @johnphudson.bsky.social.
“There have been no efforts to ‘turn on’” Ebola prevention, said Nidhi Bouri, who oversaw team until January.
Musk claims DOGE ‘restored’ Ebola prevention effort. Officials disagree.
USAID’s initiatives to fight Ebola and other diseases have been gutted, current and former agency officials said.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 26, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Elon Musk said DOGE made a mistake by cutting USAID’s Ebola prevention but it had been “restored.”
That’s not true, current and former officials told me and @johnphudson.bsky.social.
“There have been no efforts to ‘turn on’” Ebola prevention, said Nidhi Bouri, who oversaw team until January.
That’s not true, current and former officials told me and @johnphudson.bsky.social.
“There have been no efforts to ‘turn on’” Ebola prevention, said Nidhi Bouri, who oversaw team until January.
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
The Internet Archive has removed its archives of individual tweets from the account belonging to DOGE staffer Marko Elez.
The WSJ reported yesterday that this account belonged to Ekes, and that many of these tweets were racist and led to his resignation.
The WSJ reported yesterday that this account belonged to Ekes, and that many of these tweets were racist and led to his resignation.
February 8, 2025 at 12:48 AM
The Internet Archive has removed its archives of individual tweets from the account belonging to DOGE staffer Marko Elez.
The WSJ reported yesterday that this account belonged to Ekes, and that many of these tweets were racist and led to his resignation.
The WSJ reported yesterday that this account belonged to Ekes, and that many of these tweets were racist and led to his resignation.
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
“The Federal Communications Commission is investigating San Francisco-based KCBS for its coverage of immigration enforcement actions in San José last month, sparking concerns from press freedom advocates and drawing right-wing backlash to the radio station.”
FCC Investigates SF Radio Station for ICE Reporting, Sparking Press Freedom Fears | KQED
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency is investigating San Francisco-based KCBS for its coverage of immigration enforcement actions in San José.
www.kqed.org
February 7, 2025 at 3:46 AM
“The Federal Communications Commission is investigating San Francisco-based KCBS for its coverage of immigration enforcement actions in San José last month, sparking concerns from press freedom advocates and drawing right-wing backlash to the radio station.”
“The British government’s undisclosed order, issued last month, requires blanket capability to view fully encrypted material, not merely assistance in cracking a specific account, and has no known precedent in major democracies.”
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
U.K. orders Apple to let it spy on users’ encrypted accounts
Secret order requires blanket access to protected cloud backups around the world, which if implemented would undermine Apple’s privacy pledge to its users.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
“The British government’s undisclosed order, issued last month, requires blanket capability to view fully encrypted material, not merely assistance in cracking a specific account, and has no known precedent in major democracies.”
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
The Trump administration’s abrupt decision to repatriate USAID’s overseas workforce has thrust the agency’s global staff into chaos and despair, as workers scramble to uproot their lives and brace for what they fear will be a shutdown of all American aid missions in 30 days.
Recall of USAID’s global workforce causes havoc and distress
USAID employees stationed overseas are struggling to navigate the sudden upheaval, having received little clear information from the Trump administration.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The Trump administration’s abrupt decision to repatriate USAID’s overseas workforce has thrust the agency’s global staff into chaos and despair, as workers scramble to uproot their lives and brace for what they fear will be a shutdown of all American aid missions in 30 days.
Entities behind President Donald Trump’s crypto coin have accumulated close to $100 million in trading fees in less than two weeks, according to estimates from three blockchain analysis firms, a large windfall from a venture that has seen tens of thousands of small traders lose money.
Exclusive: Trump's meme coin made nearly $100 million in trading fees, as small traders lost money
Entities behind President Donald Trump’s crypto coin have accumulated close to $100 million in trading fees in less than two weeks, according to estimates from three blockchain analysis firms, a large windfall from a venture that has seen tens of thousands of small traders lose money.
www.reuters.com
February 3, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Entities behind President Donald Trump’s crypto coin have accumulated close to $100 million in trading fees in less than two weeks, according to estimates from three blockchain analysis firms, a large windfall from a venture that has seen tens of thousands of small traders lose money.
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
New Washington Post reporting:
Some DOGE staffers have gained access to internal systems at the Education Dept., including a financial aid dataset that contains personal information for millions of students enrolled in the federal student aid program.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Some DOGE staffers have gained access to internal systems at the Education Dept., including a financial aid dataset that contains personal information for millions of students enrolled in the federal student aid program.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Trump preps order to dismantle Education Dept. as DOGE probes data
Closing the agency would require congressional approval, so the new administration hopes to diminish it in the meantime.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
New Washington Post reporting:
Some DOGE staffers have gained access to internal systems at the Education Dept., including a financial aid dataset that contains personal information for millions of students enrolled in the federal student aid program.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Some DOGE staffers have gained access to internal systems at the Education Dept., including a financial aid dataset that contains personal information for millions of students enrolled in the federal student aid program.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
In fascinating interview with @spytalker.bsky.social @rondeibert.bsky.social tells how his @citizenlab.ca investigators connected the dots between high tech spyware and political repression around the globe, resulting in a spate of "Watergate-like" scandals. www.spytalk.co/p/tracking-t...
Tracking the Insidious Creep of Spyware
An interview with The Citizens Lab’s Ronald Deibert on 'Chasing Shadows,' his penetrating account of spyware scandals rocking governments around the world
www.spytalk.co
February 3, 2025 at 12:45 AM
In fascinating interview with @spytalker.bsky.social @rondeibert.bsky.social tells how his @citizenlab.ca investigators connected the dots between high tech spyware and political repression around the globe, resulting in a spate of "Watergate-like" scandals. www.spytalk.co/p/tracking-t...
should have known something was up
February 2, 2025 at 8:59 PM
should have known something was up
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
Last night, Musk's staff were stopped trying to enter USAID's HQ. They threatened to call U.S. Marshals.
@cnn.com: Sources say they wanted access to security systems and personnel files and to access classified information.
Today, the USAID Director of Security and his deputy were put on leave.
@cnn.com: Sources say they wanted access to security systems and personnel files and to access classified information.
Today, the USAID Director of Security and his deputy were put on leave.
Senior USAID security officials put on leave after refusing Musk’s DOGE access to agency systems | CNN Politics
Two top security officials at the US Agency for International Development were put on administrative leave Saturday night after refusing to allow officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Ef...
www.cnn.com
February 2, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Last night, Musk's staff were stopped trying to enter USAID's HQ. They threatened to call U.S. Marshals.
@cnn.com: Sources say they wanted access to security systems and personnel files and to access classified information.
Today, the USAID Director of Security and his deputy were put on leave.
@cnn.com: Sources say they wanted access to security systems and personnel files and to access classified information.
Today, the USAID Director of Security and his deputy were put on leave.
"In the wake of the worst American air disaster in two decades, the understaffed and cash-strapped National Transportation Safety Board was scrambling to keep investigators from leaving after federal employees received an offer by the Trump administration to resign and be paid through September."
Exclusive: NTSB scrambled to retain employees after Trump’s federal worker resignation offer | CNN Politics
In the wake of the worst American air disaster in two decades, the understaffed and cash-strapped National Transportation Safety Board was scrambling to keep investigators from leaving after federal e...
www.cnn.com
February 2, 2025 at 6:55 AM
"In the wake of the worst American air disaster in two decades, the understaffed and cash-strapped National Transportation Safety Board was scrambling to keep investigators from leaving after federal employees received an offer by the Trump administration to resign and be paid through September."
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
forget about waking the president — someone wake up Bill Simmons
February 2, 2025 at 5:31 AM
forget about waking the president — someone wake up Bill Simmons
WASHINGTON POST, DATELINE LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade, people with knowledge of the situation confirmed Saturday. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Lakers trade Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic in blockbuster with Mavericks
The Lakers will pair Luka Doncic with LeBron James in a stunning trade.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2025 at 5:50 AM
WASHINGTON POST, DATELINE LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade, people with knowledge of the situation confirmed Saturday. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
this trade is deeply unsettling!!!
February 2, 2025 at 5:41 AM
this trade is deeply unsettling!!!
"Billionaire Elon Musk’s deputies have gained access to a sensitive Treasury Department system responsible for trillions of dollars in U.S. government payments after the administration ousted a top career official at the department."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Musk aides gain access to sensitive Treasury Department payment system
The access, granted by Scott Bessent, Trump’s newly confirmed treasury secretary, comes after the ousting of the agency’s top career official.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2025 at 5:19 AM
"Billionaire Elon Musk’s deputies have gained access to a sensitive Treasury Department system responsible for trillions of dollars in U.S. government payments after the administration ousted a top career official at the department."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
NEW: @washingtonpost.com has obtained dash-cam video of a previously unseen angle of the DC plane crash (via WaPo's Jenny Gathright):
January 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
NEW: @washingtonpost.com has obtained dash-cam video of a previously unseen angle of the DC plane crash (via WaPo's Jenny Gathright):
Reposted by Samuel Oakford (WaPo)
#OTD in 1925, Paul Newman was born. He wanted to be a naval aviator but was rejected because of his colorblindness. He served as an aviation radioman in the Pacific theater during WWII and was aboard USS Hollandia when the news of Japan's surrender was announcd on 14 August 1945.
January 27, 2025 at 3:46 AM
#OTD in 1925, Paul Newman was born. He wanted to be a naval aviator but was rejected because of his colorblindness. He served as an aviation radioman in the Pacific theater during WWII and was aboard USS Hollandia when the news of Japan's surrender was announcd on 14 August 1945.