Andy Kroll
I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.
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What I Cover
I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorney’s offices and the courts. I plan to focus on the use and abuse of executive power, wielding government resources to seek retribution against critics and what happens to the civil service during the Trump administration.
My Background
Since joining ProPublica in 2022, I have reported on dark money, Christian nationalism, Project 2025’s plans to remake American society and the conservative movement’s takeover of the U.S. Supreme Court.
I was previously the Washington bureau chief for Rolling Stone, where I wrote about foreign influence campaigns, corporate influence and the judiciary. My reporting there about a series of cyberattacks on congressional campaigns helped lead to the indictment of a California political operative. Before that, I was a senior reporter at Mother Jones, where my work on self-dealing during the Trump presidency sparked congressional investigations.
In 2022, I published my first book, “A Death on W Street: The Murder of Seth Rich and the Age of Conspiracy,” a true-crime investigation about modern politics, media, conspiracy theories and one family’s fight for truth.
“Put Them in Trauma”: Inside a Key MAGA Leader’s Plans for a New Trump Agenda
Private videos reveal Trump adviser Russ Vought’s “shadow” plans for using the military on protesters, defunding the EPA and villainizing civil servants.
Inside Project 2025’s Secret Training Videos
“Eradicate climate change references”; only talk to conservative media; don’t leave a paper trail for watchdogs to discover. In a series of never-before-published videos, Project 2025 details how a second Trump administration would operate.
We Don’t Talk About Leonard: The Man Behind the Right’s Supreme Court Supermajority
The inside story of how Leonard Leo built a machine that remade the American legal system — and what he plans to do next.
Inside Ziklag, the Secret Organization of Wealthy Christians Trying to Sway the Election and Change the Country
The little-known charity is backed by famous conservative donors, including the families behind Hobby Lobby and Uline. It’s spending millions to make a big political push for this election — but it may be violating the law.
The Staffers Helping Elon Musk Dismantle and Downsize the U.S. Government, One Agency at a Time
Musk and his lieutenants are reshaping the government and its mission with the blessing of President Trump. ProPublica has confirmed the names and roles of more than 30 staffers affiliated with the billionaire.
The Elite Lawyers Working for Elon Musk’s DOGE Include Former Supreme Court Clerks
Much attention has been paid to the young Silicon Valley engineers working for Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, but the group has also hired high-powered legal talent.
Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been unleashed on federal agencies. ProPublica is attempting to document who is working with him and what they are doing.
Trump’s Pick to Lead Federal Housing Agency Has Opposed Efforts to Aid the Poor
As HUD secretary, Scott Turner would oversee billions in housing aid, but as a Texas state legislator he voted against protections for poor tenants and has called government assistance “one of the most destructive things for the family.”
A Georgia Election Official’s Months-Long Push to Make It Easier to Challenge the 2024 Results
Julie Adams quickly ascended from a little-known conservative activist to a surprise appointee on the Fulton County board of elections. She has used her new perch to carry out the efforts of players seeking to tilt the election in Trump’s favor.
Trump Claims “Illegal Alien” Voting Is Rampant. His Own Party Disagrees.
In a private video training session, a top Pennsylvania Republican National Committee official reassured a new poll watcher that undocumented people could not possibly vote in the state.
JD Vance Campaign Event With Christian Right Leaders May Have Violated Tax and Election Laws, Experts Say
Ziklag and the Courage Tour, the far-right groups that hosted the Republican vice-presidential nominee, are charities that can’t legally intervene in political campaigns.
Right-Wing Activists Pushed False Claims About Election Fraud. Now They’re Recruiting Poll Workers in Swing States.
Experts say these poll workers could sow distrust in democracy and bolster court cases challenging the election. ProPublica and Wisconsin Watch reviewed dozens of hours of trainings and presentations in which activists discussed their plans.
Local Reporting Network
Heritage Foundation Staffers Flood Federal Agencies With Thousands of Information Requests
The conservative think tank’s requests are clogging the pipeline at federal agencies in an apparent attempt to find employees a potential Trump administration would want to purge.
Ginni Thomas Privately Praised Group Working Against Supreme Court Reform: “Thank You So, So, So Much”
In a call with donors, First Liberty Institute’s Kelly Shackelford read the supportive email he said came from Thomas. The leader of the religious-rights group also labeled Justice Elena Kagan “treasonous” for backing a stronger ethics code.