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.





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.
We’re trying something new. Was it helpful?
An Algorithm Deemed This Nearly Blind 70-Year-Old Prisoner a “Moderate Risk.” Now He’s No Longer Eligible for Parole.
A Louisiana law cedes much of the power of the parole board to an algorithm that bars thousands of prisoners from a shot at early release. Civil rights attorneys say it could disproportionately harm Black people — and may even be unconstitutional.
Local Reporting Network
What Reality TV Gets Wrong About Criminal Investigations. (Spoiler: So Much.)
When Edgar Barrientos-Quintana was cleared of murder charges last year, reporter Jessica Lussenhop noticed something she had never seen before in a wrongful conviction case: the involvement of popular true crime show “The First 48.”
“They Don’t Care About Civil Rights”: Trump’s Shuttering of DHS Oversight Arm Freezes 600 Cases, Imperils Human Rights
The closure of the 150-person office, which protected the civil rights of both immigrants and U.S. citizens, strips Homeland Security of its internal guardrails as the Trump administration turns DHS into a mass-deportation machine, analysts say.
En el interior de los vuelos de deportación de ICE Air: “¿Se podría evacuar a tiempo a más de cien pasajeros encadenados?”
Siete tripulantes de vuelo que han trabajado para la aerolínea GlobalX muestran a ProPublica una parte desconocida del proceso de deportación
No, President Trump, the Income Tax Wasn’t A Mistake. But It Was an Accident.
While instituting the largest tariff increase in modern history, Trump claimed that the income tax was passed for “reasons unknown to mankind” and caused the Great Depression. Here’s the real history.
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.
Trump Said Cuts Wouldn’t Affect Public Safety. Then He Fired Hundreds of Workers Who Help Fight Wildfires.
The White House and DOGE have sought to eliminate thousands of jobs from the Forest Service. The wildland firefighting force is one of many targets within the agency.
Connecticut DMV Never Set Up System to Enforce a Century-Old Towing Law
Towing companies can sell vehicles if owners don’t reclaim them or can’t afford the fees. To protect drivers, they’re supposed to turn over unclaimed profits, but the state says that’s never happened.
Local Reporting Network
Will Extreme Spending and Partisanship Undermine Trust in State Supreme Courts?
The millions in campaign funding poured into the Wisconsin Supreme Court election spotlights the increasing partisanship around these supposedly neutral court roles. It also feeds a growing concern nationally about the independence of state high courts.
Microsoft Hooked the Government on Its Products With Freebies. Could Elon Musk’s Starlink Be Doing the Same?
The tech billionaire and Trump adviser “donated” Starlink service to the White House. The move resembles a previous maneuver by Microsoft, which used “free” trials to lock in costly upgrades across the federal government.
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.
In An Era of Big Money, the University of Illinois Shrugs Off Rules on Athletes’ NIL Deals
Records show that a fraction of the school’s athletes are complying with a state law requiring them to disclose endorsements. In the wild west of college sports, Illinois’ flagship university says the rules are losing relevance.
Follow ProPublica

Keep Them Honest Support journalism that speaks truth to power.
Donate Now
Awards
ProPublica has been a recipient of the Pulitzer Prizes for public service, explanatory reporting, national reporting, investigative reporting and feature writing. See the full list of our awards.
Complaints & Corrections
To contact us with concerns and corrections, email us. All emails may be published unless you tell us otherwise. Read our corrections.