Alex Mierjeski
Contributor
Alex Mierjeski is a research reporter for the Local Reporting Network at ProPublica.
NEWS
Kristi Noem Fast-Tracked Millions in Disaster Aid to Florida Tourist Attraction After Campaign Donor Intervened
Trump Administration
Kristi Noem Fast-Tracked Millions in Disaster Aid to Florida Tourist Attraction After Campaign Donor Intervened
The DHS chief has been widely criticized for slowing down FEMA’s response after natural disasters. Texts and emails obtained by ProPublica point to an effective way to get help faster: have one of Noem’s big donors make the ask.
09.26.25 | 12:16 pm
NEWS
Kristi Noem Secretly Took a Cut of Political Donations
A dark money group paid $80,000 to Noem’s personal company when she was governor of South Dakota. She did not include this income on her federal disclosure forms, a likely violation of ethics requirements, experts say.
07.01.25 | 7:40 am
NEWS
Secretive DC Influence Project Appears To Be Running A Group House For Right-Wing Lawmakers
Evangelical pastor Steve Berger’s political influence campaign operates out of his D.C. townhouse. In addition to House Speaker Mike Johnson living there, a prominent Trump ally, Rep. Andy Ogles, has the keys.
03.09.25 | 8:30 am
NEWS
Speaker Mike Johnson Is Living In A DC House That Is The Center Of A Pastor’s Secretive Influence Campaign
The Capitol Hill townhouse is owned by a major Republican donor. It’s the headquarters of a little-known political influence project that has reached a number of powerful Republican politicians.
02.28.25 | 1:14 pm
NEWS
Billy Long, Trump’s Nominee To Lead The IRS, Touts A Credential That Tax Experts Say Is Dubious
The former representative from Missouri, who once pushed to abolish the IRS, has marketed himself as a certified tax and business advisor after attending only a three-day seminar.
12.24.24 | 9:00 am
NEWS
Top Execs Exit Trump Media Amid Allegations of CEO’s Mismanagement and Retaliation
Several people involved with the former president’s company, operator of Truth Social, believe the departures were retaliation following internal complaints about CEO Devin Nunes to the company board.
10.04.24 | 5:13 pm
NEWS
Judge Aileen Cannon Failed to Disclose a Right-Wing Junket
Cannon, whose oversight of the Donald Trump classified documents case has garnered widespread criticism, has repeatedly violated a rule requiring that federal judges disclose their attendance at private seminars.
09.18.24 | 4:34 pm